Chapter 100
Baek-Cheong temporarily set aside the plans she had been rolling around in her head.
Trying to figure out how to fleece the New Spring Exchange Gathering while just sitting in her Seat wasn’t yielding any answers.
Meanwhile, inside the Sect Master’s Peak Pavilion, the sequence of greetings was quietly proceeding.
First, the Nascent Soul Faction that had visited from another Continent rose from their seats to pay their respects.
Following that, the turn of the Dignitaries of the Prestigious Factions from the Eastern Continent passed.
The Sect Master consistently offered a polite response to every Faction.
However, the atmosphere with which he treated each Faction was subtly different.
Before long, the turn of the Yeonha Baek Clan arrived.
“Cheong-A.”
Her uncle sent her a glance with a nod of his chin.
Baek-Cheong replied with a small nod and stood up with him.
After adjusting his Attire, her uncle led her step by step toward the Sect Master.
As they walked, the gazes drifting over from the other Factions prickled against her skin.
She could guess how it appeared to the Guests that the Yeonha Baek Clan was seated further inward than the other Clans.
‘They’ll figure it out on their own.’
The flow of such gatherings naturally was naturally understood by the adults.
She just needed to follow quietly and act demurely.
Upon standing before the Sect Master, her uncle brought his hands together and offered a polite bow.
“Baek Mu-Yeong of the Yeonha Baek Clan visits the Main Sect to offer New Year’s Greetings to the Sect Master.”
“Since the Guild Master has personally made the journey to the Main Sect, Our Sect naturally welcomes you with gladness.”
The Sect Master’s voice was gentle compared to the aura he exuded.
“The Clan Head’s Golden Core Breakthrough and the Millennial Plan are both joyous occasions that Our Sect deeply reveres. To be able to solidify our ties on the First Day of New Year brings This Old Man no small amount of joy.”
“Your words are too generous.”
Her uncle bowed his head again, respectfully accepting the Sect Master’s well-wishes.
The Sect Master replied with a light nod, then naturally shifted his gaze toward Baek-Cheong.
He merely observed her quietly with eyes full of interest.
The gaze of a Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivator lingered on Baek-Cheong for a moment.
Baek-Cheong maintained a posture with her hands neatly folded, looking unbothered on the outside.
Inwardly, she braced herself just in case.
“Peering all the way into my inner self is something only the Sword Saint can do.”
The Sect Master gave a small nod and withdrew his gaze.
Right before he withdrew it, a faint sigh briefly lingered on his lips before vanishing.
“You must be Baek-Cheong.”
“Yes, Sect Master.”
“I heard you are the child the Sword Saint personally took in.”
“That is correct.”
Baek-Cheong replied politely with her hands clasped.
The Sect Master lightly raised his cup to his lips before setting it back down.
“Our Sect had earnestly hoped to form even a small connection with you.”
The shoulders of her uncle standing next to her stiffened slightly.
Baek-Cheong also held her breath for a moment, waiting for the Sect Master’s next words.
“A connection.”
If the Sect Master of a Great Sect brought up forming a connection with her, it was not a light matter.
However, the Sect Master immediately followed up with his next words, taking a step back.
“But since the Sword Saint chose and took you in so early, it would be lacking in propriety for Our Sect to be any greedier.”
Her uncle brought his hands together twice and bowed his head deeply, respectfully accepting the Sect Master’s concession.
Baek-Cheong also bowed her head once more beside him in the exact same manner.
There was no room for them to add any further reply.
‘It’s a relief he can’t see it.’
Relief filled her small chest.
But she didn’t show it on the outside in the slightest.
Even if he saw through her, it would only complicate the situation.
The Sect Master paused for a moment before continuing.
“Our Sect’s New Spring Exchange Gathering will be held over the next few days.”
“Yes, Sect Master.”
“There are quite a few events prepared for young children, so look around to your heart’s content and enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, Sect Master.”
Warm affection laced the Sect Master’s tone.
Baek-Cheong bowed her head politely with her hands neatly folded.
Even if she was usually a loose cannon, she had enough tact to read the room.
Since she was right in the middle of the Sect Master’s Peak Pavilion, she had to do a thorough job of pretending to be demure.
‘It’s finally over.’
Relieved, Baek-Cheong stuck close to her uncle and returned to her Seat.
Following them, a couple of people from other Factions offered the final greetings.
With a light gesture, the Sect Master guided the guests to their seats.
The inside of the Pavilion grew much quieter as they transitioned into the banquet proper.
Maidservants filled the cups and brought in fresh tables for every Seat.
When the Sect Master rose from his Seat, the guests quietly raised their cups.
“It brings This Old Man no small amount of joy to see the many dignitaries who have graced Our Sect with their presence from the first day of the New Year.”
The Sect Master’s cup was raised high.
“The connections gathered here will firmly support Our Sect’s year, so let us all celebrate the new year together.”
The guests raised their cups in response.
“Therefore, I wish to add one more word regarding connections.”
The Sect Master naturally directed his gaze toward one of the seats.
It was aimed at the Clan located close to the Seat of Honor.
It was none other than the Seat of the Yeonha Baek Clan.
“Our Sect is also deeply moved by the Yeonha Baek Clan’s intention to solidify their connection with Our Sect for ten thousand years.”
Among the guests from other Factions, there were those who let out small nods.
“The Clan Head’s Golden Core Breakthrough and the Yeonha Baek Clan’s Millennial Plan are joyous occasions worthy of being engraved once more in this very place, so how about you all raise your cups and respond alongside This Old Man.”
The guests seated within the Pavilion raised their cups in unison.
The people of the Nascent Soul Clan from another Continent also raised their cups with faint smiles.
Following the announcement of the Millennial Plan, the Sect Master had personally championed his connection in front of the many guests.
The guests from other Factions glanced toward the Yeonha Baek Clan with expressions of surprise.
Maintaining her neat appearance in her Seat, Baek-Cheong studied her uncle’s face out of the corner of her eye.
Her uncle was holding his cup and responding to the people.
“The effect of the Millennial Plan is no small thing.”
Because the aftermath was greater than she had thought, Baek-Cheong was inwardly surprised without letting it show.
To her, her father’s proclamation to maintain a connection for ten thousand years had merely seemed like a grandiose boast made from the comfort of the Main Family, but it was only here at the Biun Sect’s banquet that she could finally gauge just how heavily the external Factions took it.
The Sect Master lightly brought his cup to his lips, set it back down, and continued speaking.
“I also wish to add some words of blessing for the pillars that Our Sect holds as its pride.”
The Sect Master shifted his gaze to where the True Disciples were seated.
“First, Wang Sam has knocked on the door of the Golden Core and entered within the span of a year, which is a proud achievement for Our Sect.”
Wang Sam rose slightly from his Seat and bowed his head politely toward the Sect Master.
Following that, the Sect Master went through the True Disciples one by one, adding short words of blessing.
While a couple of people beside Wang Sam stood up in turn and bowed their heads, the Sect Master’s gaze lingered once on an empty Seat before moving on.
“Mong-Yo is absent due to Our Sect’s affairs, but she is a pillar that This Old Man trusts deeply.”
Among the guests, there were those who nodded their heads.
“Baek Gyu is a child who, even among Our Sect’s True Disciples, is worthy of looking into the Path to Nascent Soul in the near future.”
A small Murmur rippled through the Pavilion.
“He lacks nothing to be called a Nascent Soul Talent, and I foresee him filling a spot as one of Our Sect’s pillars in the not-too-distant future.”
For the Sect Master to personally bestow the evaluation of Nascent Soul Talent upon a True Disciple at the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage was not something to be taken lightly.
Her Eldest Brother rose from his Seat and bowed his head politely toward the Sect Master.
“Jin-Wi has also knocked on the door of Foundation Establishment and entered at a young age, so he possesses the aptitude to become a pillar of Our Sect before long.”
Jin-Wi also rose from his Seat and bowed his head politely toward the Sect Master.
Baek-Cheong carefully studied her Eldest Brother’s face.
The affectionate appearance of the Eldest Brother she had seen at the Main Family was no longer on his face.
He bore the dignified presence befitting a True Disciple of the Biun Sect.
But then, out of nowhere, the Sect Master shifted his gaze to her.
“This child here, Baek-Cheong, despite her young age, possesses an aptitude for which the Pacheon Sword Saint personally chose and took her in.”
The robes of some guests shifted minutely.
In circles that mattered, the story had already circulated, and its members were well aware of it.
However, having the Sect Master personally bring it up felt entirely different.
“When This Old Man first heard such news, I too had no small amount of doubt.”
The Sect Master wore a faint smile.
“But since I have seen her up close at this gathering today, those doubts have unraveled one by one.”
“…!”
“With such a deep sword fragrance exuding from a young child’s body, how could the Sword Saint not have taken her in?”
The gazes of the people naturally shifted to Baek-Cheong.
Several guests set down their cups and examined Baek-Cheong once more.
While remaining seated, Baek-Cheong neatly folded her hands and bowed her head slightly toward the Sect Master.
Finding it awkward to reply carelessly to the sudden praise, she simply expressed her polite respects without adding any words.
Only after confirming out of the corner of her eye that the Sect Master had returned his gaze to his cup did she slowly straighten her posture.
“…Sword fragrance?”