Chapter 241 – The Path is Long but Steps are Slow (1)

Visitors came to the Shaolin Temple after Dam Ho left.

"Welcome, Commander Namgung."

"I apologize for being late."

The one being warmly welcomed by Gwang-cheon, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, was Namgung Chang, the commander of the Murim Alliance. He had arrived late with his martial warriors.

"You must have had a difficult journey coming here."

"How can I call it difficult when it's for upholding martial justice? I'm only sorry for arriving late."

Namgung Chang bowed deeply.

Behind him stood over two thousand Murim Alliance warriors in formation. Though their faces showed fatigue, their eyes shone with spirit.

They were all elites of the Murim Alliance, handpicked by Namgung Chang. Gwang-cheon greeted them as well.

"Amitabha! You must be tired from your journey. Please rest today."

"Thank you for your consideration."

The Murim Alliance warriors shouted in unison.

Their shouts echoed throughout Mount Song. In response, the Shaolin monks and the martial artists who had arrived earlier cheered.

"Reinforcements have arrived from the Murim Alliance!"

"Hurrah!"

The tremendous shouting sent dust from the training grounds flying high enough to block the sun. Birds took flight in surprise and beasts scattered in all directions, creating a magnificent sight.

With the Murim Alliance warriors joining, their morale soared to the heavens. Gwang-cheon smiled quietly, sensing this.

"Amitabha! I was somewhat worried after Hero Dam left, but having the Murim Alliance elites join us is truly reassuring."

"Hero Dam? You mean Fist Demon?"

Namgung Chang's voice rose involuntarily.

Though he was typically a very rational person, he always got excited about matters involving Dam Ho. It was inevitable. Every incident involving Dam Ho had resulted in massive damage without a single thing going right.

Even Namgung Cheon, the head of the Namgung family, had died at Dam Ho's hands. Though they were mortal enemies who couldn't exist under the same sky, the fact that they had to tolerate Dam Ho due to the urgent murim situation was simply infuriating.

Gwang-cheon closed his eyes, sensing the hostility in Namgung Chang's voice. He too was aware of the ill fate between Dam Ho and the Namgung family.

Normally, Shaolin would have sided with the Namgung family. But these were turbulent times. They couldn't turn an absolute master like Dam Ho into an enemy over a minor grudge when they needed every fighter they could get.

"When did Fist Demon come here?"

"He came a few days ago. And left two days ago."

"Two days ago…"

Namgung Chang's eyes sank deeply.

"He's already gone. Commander Namgung, please don't concern yourself with it."

"I suppose so."

"You are indeed wise. Let's go inside rather than standing here."

"Please go ahead. I'll follow after taking care of these men first."

Namgung Chang gestured to the warriors who came with him. Gwang-cheon nodded.

"Very well. Please come in at your leisure after finishing your business."

"Thank you for your consideration, Sect Leader."

"Not at all. Then…"

Gwang-cheon gave Namgung Chang a half-bow before heading inside.

Namgung Chang gathered his commanders and ordered them to lead the troops to their quarters.

The commanders moved with perfect coordination. The Murim Alliance forces that had filled the wide training grounds quickly disappeared, leaving Namgung Chang alone.

Namgung Chang stood motionless in the middle of the training grounds. His face was filled with anguish.

'Fist Demon.'

That name was like a thorn in his throat, always catching.

Before being the Murim Alliance commander, Namgung Chang was a member of the Namgung family. He struggled between his coldness as a public official and his personal feelings as a direct descendant of the Namgung family.

After much contemplation, a determined look finally appeared on Namgung Chang's face.

He called out to someone.

"Jin-hong."

"Yes, Commander!"

With the response, a middle-aged warrior suddenly appeared and knelt on one knee before him.

His name was Namgung Jin-hong, a warrior dispatched from the Namgung family to assist Namgung Chang.

"Track Dam Ho's movements. He hasn't been gone long, so it shouldn't be difficult to find him."

"What should we do once we track him?"

"Inform the Demonic Cult… inform them of his movements."

Namgung Jin-hong looked up in surprise.

"It's dangerous. We might burn down the whole house just to kill one bedbug."

Though he too despised Dam Ho, he didn't think this was the right way.

Namgung Chang was resolute.

"Do it. If we do it anonymously, there won't be any problems."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I… understand."

Finally, Namgung Jin-hong replied with a resigned expression.

Namgung Jin-hong vanished as suddenly as he had appeared, and Namgung Chang, left alone, muttered quietly.

"You and the Namgung family can never coexist under the same sky. Never!"

***

"Whoa!"

Bang Jin-bo's mouth gaped open.

Before them flowed an enormous river. The muddy yellow waters created massive rapids, flowing with a terrifying force that seemed capable of sweeping away everything in the world.

They were looking at the Sanmenxia of the Yellow River. Where the Yellow River flows between Shanxi and Henan provinces, it splits into three channels around large islands, forming gorges called the Spirit Gate, Ghost Gate, and Human Gate. Together, these three gates were known as Sanmenxia.

Bang Jin-bo was completely mesmerized by the Yellow River's magnificent presence. Though he had seen the Yangtze River before, the Yellow River gave a completely different impression. The water was entirely yellow from the loess swept down from the western plateaus of Central Plains. This made it appear even more majestic and wild.

Muk Il-gwang approached Dam Ho.

"We need to cross the Yellow River to reach Shaanxi Province."

"How?"

"I've arranged for a boat upstream at Sanmenxia."

"A boat?"

"We have Green Forest brothers here too. I sent a message ahead asking them to prepare a boat for crossing."

Muk Il-gwang replied confidently.

The influence of the Eighteen Green Forest Gangs extended not only to the mountains but also to the rivers. There were water bandits on the rivers too, and they took orders from the Eighteen Green Forest Gangs.

On the Yellow River was the Yellow Devil Gang. Though not large enough to be counted among the Eighteen Green Forest Gangs, they were still the largest force among the water bandits operating on the Yellow River.

When they went upstream at Sanmenxia, the Yellow Devil Gang's bandits had a fast boat waiting.

A tall middle-aged man who appeared to be in his late forties approached Dam Ho's group and made a fist-palm greeting.

"Welcome. I am Jang San-woo, leader of the Yellow Devil Gang, also known as Yellow Ghost Dragon. It's an honor to meet Hero Dam."

Jang San-woo's eyes were full of admiration as he looked at Dam Ho. And it wasn't just him – all the Yellow Devil Gang warriors on the fast boat were looking up to Dam Ho.

Dam Ho was a benefactor to the Eighteen Green Forest Gangs. Thanks to him, Hwang Gyeong-mun's life was saved and the Eighteen Green Forest Gangs could remain intact. Knowing this, their gazes toward Dam Ho were incredibly passionate.

Muk Il-gwang smiled and said to Jang San-woo:

"Brother! Don't you see me? I'm hurt."

"Oh! Brother Muk is here too."

Belatedly noticing Muk Il-gwang, Jang San-woo brightened up.

The two men embraced each other tightly.

Muk Il-gwang had worked with the Yellow Devil Gang when he was young. Back then, Jang San-woo was just an ordinary water bandit.

As time passed, Muk Il-gwang became a key figure serving Hwang Gyeong-mun, the overall leader of the Eighteen Green Forest Gangs, while Jang San-woo became the leader of the Yellow Devil Gang. Given their special connection, they couldn't help but be glad to see each other.

Jang San-woo pulled Muk Il-gwang's hand.

"Let's talk on the boat. Time is of the essence."

"What's the hurry?"

Jang San-woo's gaze turned to Dam Ho.

"Haven't you heard the news yet?"

"…"

"I thought so. Right now, southern Shaanxi Province is in chaos."

Dam Ho's eyes narrowed at Jang San-woo's words.

They had been riding non-stop since leaving Shaolin Temple. Naturally, they hadn't had a chance to hear any news.

"The Zhongnan Sect has suffered great losses."

"Zhongnan Sect?"

"Yes! Half of the Zhongnan Sect's leadership is gone. No one else in the world knows this yet. We wouldn't have known either if it weren't for our spy there."

"Tell me more."

"Let's get on the boat first. I'll explain in detail there."

"Hmm!"

Dam Ho nodded and boarded the boat. Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang followed, and they loaded the horses including Black Ghost.

Once everyone was aboard, the fast boat set out into the yellow-colored rapids. The boat rocked violently in the tremendous currents, seeming ready to capsize at any moment. But the Yellow Devil Gang's water bandits operated the fast boat without showing any sign of panic. Thanks to their near-miraculous handling, the boat quickly stabilized and moved forward at high speed.

Only then did Jang San-woo catch his breath and approach Dam Ho.

"Where was I?"

"You said half of the Zhongnan Sect's leadership was gone."

It was Muk Il-gwang who answered.

Jang San-woo nodded and continued.

"And all of it was caused by a single absolute master."

"A single person?"

Muk Il-gwang blinked.

The Zhongnan Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects. They had dozens of renowned masters and hundreds more unknown ones. Add to that their numerous disciples both in and outside the sect, and they could rightfully be called the hegemon of Shaanxi Province. It was hard to believe that such a sect had suffered a bloodbath because of just one person.

"Yes! Just one person, they say. An old man whose age was hard to guess, who identified himself as Cheon Oh-Gyeong."

"Cheon… Oh-Gyeong."

Muk Il-gwang tilted his head.

"Yes! First time hearing it, right? Me too. Anyway, his name isn't what's important. The big issue is that half of Zhongnan Sect's leadership was wiped out because of this one person. And that's even with their combined attack…"

Muk Il-gwang's mouth gaped open in shock.

His gaze automatically turned to Dam Ho. Despite hearing such shocking news, Dam Ho's expression remained unchanged.

'Well, of course Brother wouldn't be surprised by something like this.'

Jang San-woo continued:

"What's even more surprising is that before fighting the Zhongnan Sect leaders, this old man had already killed Jang Il-san, the leader of Hundred Battles Sect."

"Hundred Battles Sect? They were there?"

Dam Ho spoke for the first time.

"Yes. It seems Leader Jang and some of his disciples had taken refuge at Zhongnan Sect."

"Some?"

"Yes! When Hero Yeom Jung-hwa died in Shaozhou, Zhongnan Sect suffered heavy losses."

Having lost Yeom Jung-hwa, a towering figure, Zhongnan Sect's disciples were like baby birds who had lost their mother. Since they were likely to be annihilated by enemy raids while retreating to Zhongnan Sect, Hundred Battles Sect’s leader Jang Il-san had stepped forward to protect them.

"What about Cho Yeon-woon? Didn't he go up to Mount Zhongnan too?"

"I don't know the details, but I heard Young Hero Cho was too severely injured to make it to Mount Zhongnan."

"Then?"

"I think he might have gone to the Mount Hua Sect."

"Hmm!"

For the first time, a low sound escaped Dam Ho's lips. A faint look of relief flashed across his eyes.

While Jang Il-san's death was regrettable, Cho Yeon-woon was more important to Dam Ho.

"You mentioned Mount Hua Sect?"

"That seems to be the only possibility right now."

"Doesn't going upstream from Sanmenxia lead directly to Huayin County?"

"That's right. Would you like to go to Mount Hua Sect?"

"Hmm!"

"If we sail at full speed, we can get there in two days."

When Dam Ho nodded, Jang San-woo gave orders to his subordinates.

"Hero Dam wants to go to Huayin County. Stop the river crossing and turn the bow toward Huayin."

"Yes!"

The water bandits turned the bow with an energetic response.

Despite the sudden order, no one objected. To them, Dam Ho was equal in status to their overall leader Hwang Gyeong-mun.

'To think the Fist Demon is riding on our boat.'

Their hearts pounded with excitement.

Though they were mere water bandits, Dam Ho was a renowned warrior in the martial world. While people called him Fist Demon and kept their distance, to the bandits who valued strength above all else, Dam Ho appeared as a godlike figure.

The crew put in every ounce of strength they had into sailing the boat. The vessel pushed upstream through the churning rapids.

The boat rocked violently in the fierce currents, seeming ready to capsize at any moment. But Dam Ho stood at the bow without moving an inch, as if his feet were glued to the deck.

'Brother!'

Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang watched Dam Ho from behind.

Two days. While it might be a very short time for some people, to Dam Ho right now, it felt endlessly long.

Jin Ja-gang, Tang Ha-ran, Bian Bu, and Soso came down from the peak.

Since the Qingcheng sect had all left, there was no reason to stay confined in that house.

Bian Bu waved his hand when he saw the Evil Sect members.

“Hey there, you came! I heard the story but now I’m finally getting to greet you properly.”

“Look who it is. Isn’t that Bian Bu? And Soso next to him?”

Bian Bu seemed to have close relations with the Evil Sect members, exchanging greetings with each one.

“Who’s that guy?”

The Evil Sect members’ gazes turned toward Jin Ja-gang and Tang Ha-ran.

“A celebrity. Poison Dragon. And Miss Ha-ran from the Tang family.”

Silent glances were exchanged.

Poison Dragon, who wasn’t Evil Sect but was being treated as such, and the Tang family daughter who had been expelled for following Poison Dragon.

It couldn’t help but be a strange situation.

Gu Ryun said.

“Should I say it’s nice to meet you? Or should I say it’s regrettable to meet in such circumstances?”

Before Jin Ja-gang could answer, Remnant Wind Guest approached with heavy steps and looked Jin Ja-gang up and down.

“Are you strong?”

“Is that important?”

“It’s important. We need to establish the pecking order.”

“Is that so?”

Jin Ja-gang answered without being intimidated at all by Remnant Wind Guest’s imposing build.

“Then you can just not pick a fight with me and leave me alone. The day you find out whether I’m strong or not would be the day you die, so would it have meaning?”

“Oh ho, this guy comes on really strong? But it’s chilling. It’s not a lie, is it? You really have the eyes of someone who’s caught quite a few strong fellows.”

Remnant Wind Guest showed his goosebump-covered forearms and giggled.

Human Demon Gam Chung stroked his beard and asked.

“But seeing you’re with Bian Bu, there must be some connection?”

“I received kindness from Fairy Maiden.”

Human Demon Gam Chung placed both hands on his belly and laughed.

“Well, that’s enough. Whether we’re on the same side or not doesn’t matter. We’re all people gathered for Fairy Maiden’s sake.”

With that, even Remnant Wind Guest lost interest in Jin Ja-gang.

Flower Snake Divine Woman asked Bian Bu with a worried tone.

“Bat old man! What on earth is going on? What’s happening to the Qingcheng sect?”

“Thunder Brand Sword from the Martial Alliance is coming to Qingcheng Mountain.”

“What? The Qingcheng sect is avoiding them because of that?”

“The Qingcheng sect thinks a great tribulation is approaching. They probably plan to step aside completely from this tribulation.”

“Then what about us?”

“As soon as Fairy Maiden comes out, we need to grab her and run immediately.”

“Is it true that Fairy Maiden is poisoned and practicing internal energy?”

Flower Snake Divine Woman glanced at Tang Ha-ran as she mentioned poison. When Flower Snake Divine Woman’s eyes met Tang Ha-ran’s, she smiled sweetly, but there was reddish killing intent in the corners of her eyes.

“That’s right. But the one who made Fairy Maiden like that wasn’t the Tang family but Mang Ryo. And… though this might sound strange, he’s also the one who tried to assassinate the Martial Alliance Leader.”

The Evil Sect members murmured among themselves.

“What’s that about?”

“The guy who tried to assassinate the Martial Alliance Leader harmed Fairy Maiden, so why is the Martial Alliance going after the Qingcheng sect? It doesn’t add up.”

Bian Bu shrugged his shoulders.

“They’re just looking for an excuse. Once they find an excuse, randomly pinning crimes on people is their specialty.”

“That’s true.”

One person with a scar on his face asked Bian Bu.

“No, then if Fairy Maiden isn’t even in a dangerous situation, why did we get called here?”

Bian Bu looked puzzled.

“Called by who? We’ve been up there the whole time.”

At that moment, the atmosphere turned cold.

Human Demon Gam Chung laughed heartily.

“Well now. Some bastards are daring to use our Shandong friends? Which bastards have such swollen guts? I need to find them and definitely rip out their livers while they’re still alive to satisfy my anger.”

Remnant Wind Guest spat out curses.

“Damn it. No wonder it was strangely easy to enter Sichuan. The Sichuan Three Rivers bastards were all in on it together. Now I understand why the Qingcheng sect Taoists fled too.”

Gu Ryun suddenly sat down and took out his shield, beginning to oil it.

He was preparing for battle.

“Bian Bu. Fairy Maiden isn’t being harmed and is definitely practicing internal energy, right?”

“Definitely.”

“Then everyone prepare. We’ll have to fight Thunder Brand Sword soon.”

Flower Snake Divine Woman looked at Tang Ha-ran and asked.

“But which side are you planning to take, miss? I’d like you to clearly state your position.”

All eyes focused on Tang Ha-ran. Tang Ha-ran had known such a moment would come someday.

“I plan to follow whatever this person decides to do.”

Her speech was awkward, as if she was still uncomfortable mixing words with Evil Sect members.

Flower Snake Divine Woman looked at Jin Ja-gang with an expression asking ‘Then what about you?’

“I’ll help until Fairy Maiden finishes her internal energy practice.”

Remnant Wind Guest asked again.

“I’m asking you really seriously, are you strong enough for that? I saw you were even limping earlier.”

Jin Ja-gang just smiled quietly. Remnant Wind Guest grumbled.

“Tch, a guy who puts on airs like crazy. You and I will probably never! become friends.”

* * *

Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong led forty White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors and entered Sichuan with great momentum. Behind them, two hundred Sword Hero Squad members from the Guizhou branch were following.

However, the moment they set foot in Sichuan, two groups were waiting for Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong from left and right.

One group was the Tang family in green robes.

The other group was Mount Emei in monk’s robes.

Ye Jin-gyeong made his warriors stop and stepped forward. Ye Jin-gyeong was a martial artist in his fifties with a tall stature and broad shoulders. He carried a great sword as tall as himself on his back.

“I am Ye Jin-gyeong. I’m truly grateful that two of Sichuan’s Three Rivers came out to welcome me.”

What came from the Tang family was Soul Seizing Chamber Master Tang Sang-yul. Tang Sang-yul cupped his fists and greeted.

“Not at all. Isn’t it natural courtesy for a host to greet guests?”

By calling themselves the host, their intention in coming to greet was already apparent. Though they belonged to the same Martial Alliance, they were revealing that they were the kings in Sichuan.

From Mount Emei came Jung Yo.

“Amitabha. I came to lend what little strength I have, so please don’t scold me for being too inadequate.”

Mount Emei was the same as the Tang family. They said they were lending strength, but they were no different from watchdogs. They were subtly saying that if you want to act in Sichuan, you must be under our control.

Though Ye Jin-gyeong belonged to the Hengshan sect, he was a martial artist who had grown up in the Martial Alliance. Having risen to become pavilion master of the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion, one of the twin combat units in the Demon Subduing Palace of the Martial Alliance, he wasn’t without sense.

Ye Jin-gyeong snorted slightly.

“If I had needed strength, I would have contacted you beforehand. I gratefully accept only your intentions.”

Tang Sang-yul waved his hand.

“That’s not right. How could we show off with just intentions? I heard that even Shandong Evil Sect members have gathered at the Qingcheng sect. You’ll need even small hands.”

“Trash like the Shandong Evil Sect can’t block my path. This is an urgent matter, so I’d be grateful if you’d clear the way.”

“Haha, if anyone heard, they’d think the Tang Family Great Compound was blocking your path, great hero. You refuse the hand we extend, so we’re embarrassed beyond measure. However, since this is a Martial Alliance affair, we’ll withdraw now for the greater cause.”

It was skillful speech. While backing out saying they wouldn’t take any responsibility for what happened next, they added conditions saying they were withdrawing for the Martial Alliance’s sake, even creating a debt.

Jung Yo also asked in a gentle tone for confirmation.

“Are you really sure it’s alright? Sichuan is unexpectedly dangerous.”

It almost sounded like a threat.

Ye Jin-gyeong had no desire to engage in psychological warfare and waste time here. He needed to go to the Qingcheng sect and either negotiate with or escort their sect leader. He immediately cut off Jung Yo’s words.

“I heard Sichuan’s martial world is notoriously territorial, so I’m grateful you’re backing down this much.”

Soon the Tang family and Mount Emei stepped aside to both sides.

“Well then.”

Ye Jin-gyeong cupped his fists one last time and passed them by.

After the forty White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion members and two hundred Sword Hero Squad members all passed, Jung Yo sighed and said.

“Since it’s happening in Sichuan, they naturally should have requested our cooperation. The Martial Alliance’s handling of this matter is very displeasing. The sect leader said that if we don’t step forward in the Qingcheng sect’s matter, we’ll face the fate of lips and teeth.”

Tang Sang-yul sneered.

“The phrase ‘lips and teeth’ fits perfectly. They plan to systematically dismantle our Sichuan Three Rivers starting with the Qingcheng sect. They’re targeting Sichuan’s martial world. Fools, do they think we’ll just take it lying down?”

* * *

Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong moved quickly to Qingcheng Mountain.

‘Reorganize the Nine Provinces and Six Heavens.’

He was reading that this was the Alliance Leader’s intention.

Nine Provinces and Six Heavens!

A term referring to six places that had established certain spheres of influence in the current martial world.

The Martial Alliance with its headquarters in Jiangxi Province.

Sichuan’s martial world centered on the Tang family, Mount Emei, and Qingcheng sect.

The Evil Sect alliance Northern Heaven that had been pushed north from the Central Plains by the Martial Alliance.

The Western Tibet Demon Cult located west of Yunnan.

The Shandong Evil Sect led by Wishful Fairy Maiden.

The Yangtze River Sword Gate formed by gathering sects along the Yangtze River basin.

However, because the Martial Alliance occupied more than seventy percent of the martial world, the rest were actually holding their breath and keeping low profiles, or were treated as mere branch sects that had joined the Martial Alliance.

Most of the sects in Sichuan’s martial world and the Yangtze River Sword Gate had joined the Martial Alliance.

So there was inevitably no more prey to devour.

Therefore, though Ye Jin-gyeong didn’t know exactly how Alliance Leader Taoist Haewol planned to reorganize the martial world, he agreed with his thinking.

Survival was a martial artist’s instinct and natural competition. If he provided the place and situation, he was ready to run wild as much as needed.

For instance, he too had thoughts of suppressing the Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion and surpassing Diamond Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung to make him subordinate. The fact that Baek Li-jung, who wasn’t even from a prestigious family, received praise as a great hero and was treated the same as himself, a disciple of Hengshan sect, was definitely not pleasant.

This incident was the best opportunity for the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion to surpass the Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion.

Ye Jin-gyeong arrived at Qingcheng Mountain’s gate in just a few days.

Unexpectedly, there was one Taoist with a clear appearance waiting at the gate.

The Taoist bowed deeply with an extremely respectful attitude.

“Primordial Heavenly Worthy. The sect leader is waiting.”

“This is a completely different attitude from what I heard.”

The Evil Sect members were nowhere to be seen either. They might have retreated upon hearing news that the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion was coming, or the Qingcheng sect might have driven them away.

“I’m just running errands.”

When Ye Jin-gyeong was about to ascend the mountain gate with the warriors he had brought, the Taoist showed a troubled expression.

“Don’t all several hundred warriors need to go up, do they? Our Qingcheng sect also has face to maintain…”

Armed warriors ascending the main mountain was an attitude only an occupying army would take.

There’s a reason some places have rules about leaving weapons at the entrance when climbing other sects’ mountain gates.

Especially when the opponent came out so obediently, since this was the Qingcheng sect called a holy site of Taoism, there was need to show appropriate respect.

However, Ye Jin-gyeong felt suspicion about a different part.

‘Our Qingcheng sect?’

The part where the Taoist just said ‘our Qingcheng sect also has face’ caught his ear.

Among orthodox sects, almost all of the long-established major sects don’t attach ‘gate’ or ‘sect’ when introducing their own sect.

Even in Shaolin Temple’s case, they only attach the character for ‘temple’ when specifically conducting events as a temple. Since everyone in the martial world knows Shaolin Temple, they don’t specifically say ‘our Shaolin Temple is…’

The same goes for Wudang sect, Huashan sect, and Qingcheng sect. They don’t bother attaching the character for ‘sect’ meaning Taoist lineage.

Of course, since they’re human, there might be slips of the tongue.

However, in sensitive times like now, even such slips of the tongue sound significant.

“Hmm.”

Ye Jin-gyeong made a snorting sound through his nose and slightly raised the corner of his mouth in a smile.