The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 41: Our Jihyeon Hasn’t Changed

“That’s true, but...”

The skinny man replied mildly. They looked like friends, but the fat one clearly held the reins. Or maybe the skinny man was simply letting him.

The fat man didn’t stop there.

“Not even being the world’s best matters. Just taking a mystical elixir doesn’t make you a top master. The thing is, those elixirs are used by people who are already powerful and drowning in money—they take them for that little extra edge.”

“For example?”

“You know. Families like the Namgung Clan and whatnot.”

Yeon’s ears perked up at the mention of the Namgung Clan. She glanced sideways to see Namgung Myeong and Namgung Jihyeon’s shoulders puffed up with pride. It was probably the word ‘top-tier’ that did it.

Just as Yeon was getting annoyed at the sight of the puffed-up dragon and tiger, the skinny man lowered his voice.

“Hey, you’re being too loud!”

“What? Did I say anything wrong?”

“What if someone from one of the noble clans is here...?”

At the skinny man’s concern, the fat one scoffed.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Why would people from great families be here? They’ve got better elixirs than this crap piled up back home. This place is for those who are a bit mediocre, so they try to lean on equipment. In other words, guys like you and me...”

“Well, that does make some sense...”

Yeon was starting to get a sense of how these two talked. The fat man would blurt out strong opinions, and the skinny one would always reply with, “That’s true, but...”

Relationships like that might seem one-sided on the surface, but often, that’s not really the case.

Someone like the fat guy, who loves hearing himself talk, isn’t exactly welcome anywhere. And the skinny guy, with no backbone, probably has a hard time fitting in too. So the two of them, in a way, were satisfying each other’s thirst for company.

“Hm.”

The skinny man scanned the surroundings and locked eyes with Yeon. She quickly averted her gaze like she hadn’t noticed, and reassured, he spoke again.

“But why bring up the Namgung Clan, specifically? There’s also the Yi Clan.”

“That’s...”

An awkward silence fell over the table of the pig and the monkey.

“The Yi Clan doesn’t use elixirs.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know the details, but that’s just how it is. That’s probably why people are even more obsessed with them. They rose to the top with pure skill alone, didn’t they?”

“Top of the world, huh...”

The dragon and tiger loosened their previously relaxed postures.

“What do you think? Is the Yi Clan really the strongest in the world?”

“You’re asking nonsense.”

The fat man responded firmly to the skinny man’s question and continued.

“Of course, if we’re talking size and wealth, Namgung is still number one. But what is the martial world? A place where people are obsessed with strength. With who’s the best in the world.”

“That’s true.”

“And in that regard, the Yi Clan has to be the best. The day Yi Baeksan defeated Namgung Yuryong, it was settled.”

At the mention of Namgung Yuryong, the dragon mask’s eyes flared like burning coals. But neither the pig nor the monkey—especially the fat man—noticed a thing.

“Namgung Yuryong has been fighting for the title of the world’s strongest since the Great War of Justice. Once Wudang and Mount Hua closed their gates, he stood alone as the undisputed number one. All his rivals were gone. If only Yi Baeksan hadn’t existed.”

“Damn...”

“It must’ve been bitter for Namgung Yuryong. But you know what’s even sadder?”

“What?”

“The Namgung Clan can forget about ever becoming number one again. After losing to Yi Baeksan, Namgung Yuryong died of stress, and Yi Cheongang—Yi Clan’s heir—is already being called the next best in the world. He’s beaten Namgung Myeong several times now...”

Crack.

The sound of a table shattering. The dragon’s hand trembled with rage, crushing the wooden table to splinters.

Namgung Myeong rose from his seat and began to approach them. The bloodlust radiating from behind the mask made the pig and the monkey recoil like prey caught in a predator’s stare.

“You seem to know a lot.”

Namgung Myeong whispered the words in the fat man’s ear as he placed his hand on his shoulder—the same hand that had just shattered a table.

“W-Who are you?”

The fat man tried to twist away, but Namgung Myeong’s grip tightened. The raw force made the man groan in pain.

“Ghhhk...!”

“And yet, you don’t know the most important thing. That flapping your mouth carelessly in the martial world... can cost you your life.”

The fat man glanced around, but the guards acted like they couldn’t even see what was happening. They were deliberately looking the other way.

Still gripping the man’s shoulder, Namgung Myeong continued quietly.

“Let me correct a few of your mistakes.”

“A-Alright, just please, let go of my shoulder...”

“First. Namgung Yuryong didn’t die of stress. Got it? My gran—...”

Namgung Myeong paused, clearly about to say grandfather.

“...He lived a full life and died of natural causes. If you go around spreading idiotic rumors like that, one day, someone’s going to cut your head off. And that’s not a metaphor.”

The fat man’s chin trembled at something he felt in Namgung Myeong’s voice.

“Wait... don’t tell me, you’re...”

“Second. The Namgung Myeong you mentioned? Never lost, unfortunately. That was just a friendly sparring match. What kind of idiot treats a spar like a real loss?”

“N-No one...”

“Well, maybe some idiot might. Someone incredibly stupid. Someone who wouldn’t even realize how close this place is to Anhui.”

The fat man’s face finally turned deathly pale. At the same time, Namgung Myeong gripped his shoulder even harder, and a sickening crunch rang out.

“Ghhhhh! Gghhh...!”

The man clutched his mouth, desperately holding back a scream. He must’ve realized that making a scene would only make things worse. Namgung Myeong didn’t release him until he was on the brink of passing out.

Once he let go, Namgung Myeong turned to the pig and the monkey and said coldly,

“For defiling the name of Namgung, if we weren’t in a place like this, I would’ve taken your lives on the spot. Consider yourselves lucky. Now get out.”

As soon as he finished, the fat man collapsed in a heap. The skinny man caught him and bowed deeply with utmost respect before practically sprinting out of the auction hall.

Namgung Myeong watched their backs like a hawk before sitting down again. Since he had destroyed their table, he naturally took their spot.

Namgung Jihyeon joined him, and only then did the guards appear, silently clearing away the wreckage.

Once things were settled, Namgung Myeong finally spoke.

“That must’ve been unpleasant to witness.”

Though his gaze was straight ahead, it was unmistakably directed at Yeon and Cheon Gang.

“I don’t mind. If someone insulted my clan, I’d have done the same.”

At Cheon Gang’s calm reply, a faint sound of teeth grinding could be heard. Namgung Myeong was about to say something when the lighting in the hall suddenly dimmed. On the now-brighter stage, someone stepped into view.

“Thank you for waiting, everyone! Today’s auction will now begin...”

At the auctioneer’s opening speech, Namgung Myeong closed his mouth. Yeon, who had been watching him carefully, also turned her eyes toward the stage.

Soon, the auction began, and Yeon realized that the fat man hadn’t been wrong. The starting bids for the items were remarkably high.

‘How much will the key the Elder’s looking for go for?’

Regardless of price, though, the auction proceeded at a rapid pace. All thanks to the man behind the dragon mask—Namgung Myeong.

“The next item is a true masterpiece. A legendary sword that follows the legacy of the Eocheon Sword...”

“One hundred silver coins.”

Namgung Myeong raised his hand before the item could even be properly introduced. Each time he did, he’d throw a mocking chin gesture toward Cheon Gang and Yeon. Of course, the two never reacted.

“Ah... we have a bid of 100 silver coins. Does anyone wish to offer more?”

No one raised their hand, and the sword, with its ornate hilt, became Namgung Myeong’s. Without even giving it a glance, he tossed it into a basket prepared at his side.

It had been like that since the auction started. Beginning with 100 silver, Namgung Myeong would raise °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the bid by another hundred only if there were competitors. And every time, he’d look this way, like it was all just a game.

Watching this little show of monetary intimidation, Yeon asked Cheon Gang,

“Cheon Gang, how much did we spend at that inn last time?”

“Just under seven silver.”

Even after eating and drinking their fill at a fairly expensive inn, it hadn’t come out to more than seven silver. Which meant, even without crunching the numbers, that Namgung Myeong was throwing money around like mad. Like a supercar guzzling fuel, he was burning through his coin.

Naturally, the other bidders didn’t dare raise their hands. They knew they couldn’t match Namgung Myeong’s level.

“Well then, next up we have...”

The auctioneer, beaming, unveiled the next item. Excluding the Namgung siblings, he was the only person in the room clearly enjoying himself. After all, he was earning a massive commission.

“A defensive vest! Made by a skilled craftsman—tough yet light, and boasting impressive elasticity. In a life-or-death moment, it could block that one fatal strike!”

At the sight of the sleek vest, Yeon—who had shown no interest throughout the auction—felt her heart stir. Cheon Gang, who sensed the subtle shift, asked,

“Do you like it?”

“Not for me. I just thought it’d be good for Soso.”

“Ah... that didn’t occur to me. Should we buy it?”

Since they didn’t have a coin pouch, they’d agreed to use Cheon Gang’s spare money for now. Still, Yeon intended to hold back until it truly mattered. There was no doubt Namgung Myeong would drive the price up anyway.

“It’s fine. Soso went back to her clan, remember.”

Yeon suddenly felt melancholic—not because she couldn’t buy the item, but because she’d remembered Soso was on her way back to Sichuan.

‘She’s doing okay... right, Soso?’

Meanwhile, the auction continued, but the defensive vest went unsold. Because Namgung Myeong, strangely, hadn’t raised his hand, the others had missed their timing.

Suddenly, Namgung Myeong asked,

“How long are you planning to just sit there watching?”

“Well, if there’s nothing I want to buy, watching is all I’ll do.”

As Yeon replied, the one in the tiger mask—Namgung Jihyeon—spoke up like she’d been waiting for her cue.

“‘Watching,’ huh... More like you’re too scared to bid. Worried you’ll embarrass yourself.”

“Embarrass myself? How?”

“Like if you raise your hand and can’t actually pay. That’d be a laugh. You know that, so why pretend you don’t?”

“Our Jihyeon hasn’t changed.”

At Yeon’s remark, Namgung Jihyeon flared up.

“Shut it. Don’t you know you’re supposed to hide your identity at events like this? Oh, right—how would you? It’s not like you’ve ever been to one.”

Was she holding back her usual swearing because Cheon Gang was here? Yeon smirked faintly, but then Namgung Myeong chimed in again, his voice returning to that arrogant tone.

“That’s not it, Hyun. I’m sure she really is just here to spectate. Right, Gang? It’s not like you don’t have the money.”

Calling him ‘Gang’ as if they were chummy, Namgung Myeong smiled sweetly. Cheon Gang simply returned a quiet smile. A faint twitch stirred under Namgung Myeong’s eye, though he quickly reined in his expression.

“Whatever the reason, you’re just unlucky. You happened to run into me at an auction. I’m not trying to brag, but on the days I show up, it’s nearly impossible to walk away with anything.”

Just then, the auctioneer shouted,

“And now, our final item of the day!”

Already?

Yeon frowned slightly as the final item was unveiled. It was a slender silver necklace with a blue gem set at its center.

“There’s a reason we saved this one for last. Prepare to be amazed! This blue gem gives off a chill when touched—truly a mysterious stone. Could it be a shard of the legendary Ice Crystal? If so, the person who wins this necklace will have struck gold! Hahaha!”

Yeon exchanged a glance with Cheon Gang. They ignored the nonsense about “Ice Crystals”—what caught their attention was the color. If Jo-gwan’s information was right, this might be the key the Elder was looking for.

‘It’s a necklace, not a key... But like Cheon Gang said, maybe “key” was just a name.’

The auctioneer’s flashy speech was wrapping up. Namgung Myeong lazily moved his hand, and Cheon Gang turned to Yeon. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

A silent signal: It’s your call.

Yeon gave a small nod—and for the first time all evening, Cheon Gang raised his hand.

“One hundred silver coins.”

“We have a bid of 100 silver! Now then—”

“Wait.”

“Oh! It’s someone else this time! Haha...”

The auctioneer laughed awkwardly as Cheon Gang added,

“Not silver. One hundred gold coins.”