Only I Am A Reader

"If you want it, you can have it back. After all, a parent's words can easily overwrite that of their children."

'More bold protagonist confrontation… great.'

Leo's eyes wandered towards Namgung Geumryong's mangled dead body. Although Geochin seemed to have carelessly killed his cousin for revenge, the Murim Lord had reluctantly reminded the lost protagonist to come up with a cover-up story. He might end up dying even with the cover if he was alone, but things were different with his childhood friend's existence!

Grievous injuries that could only be made by the monsters' claws were apparent on the corpse, but this was just something that Geochin had replicated with the help of some of the weaker monsters. Nobody really bothered to care about what another person did during the earlier chaotic battle, so no one could vouch for or deny any testimony.

"You… Don't tell me that everyone believes this cheap story of his?!"

No matter what anyone wanted to believe in, either sides' words didn't seem to be mismatched with the evident clues. However, on one side stood the Sword Sage supported by the entirety of Mount Hua, while only the first elder of the Namgung Family stood on the other. Choosing who to believe wasn't exactly that hard of a decision.

"Weren't they the ones that bullied him at the start of the Conference?"

"He actually turned out to be part of the Noble Sword House?"

"This…"

Receiving no answer was enough, but all of the whispers putting fault on his family directly put Namgung Jang in an awkward spot. He couldn't even take back the sword that Geochin sincerely offered to return as that would be no different than confirming his version of the story!

To make it worse, the insolent nephew of his was directly taking a jab at him who redirected the hatred he had for his sister towards her son. Just exchanging a few more words like these would be enough to expose the dark history of the Namgung Family…

"Ah-guh-uh… I can't confirm what actually happened, but it's too much for an elder like you to act this way. There is no way I can allow you to murder such a brilliant seed like this without certain evidence. Besides…"

Let alone the fact that his great-granddaughter obviously believed the kid and stood by his side, the Sword Sage was also informed of Geochin's capabilities. In times like this, promising youths had to be preserved at all costs!

"Cuh.. huh… I regret to inform you that your Family Head had perished in the confrontation that we had been forced into earlier. His last words were to specifically take care of his daughter's only son. If you can just take a step back on this…"

Even as his cough intensified, Pung Chungwon continued to relay the shocking news of another top powerhouse's fall. The oldman was suddenly enlightened about his wrongdoings as he faced death.

'Another one...'

"Father was…? I see… I will postone discussing this incident for the time being. You can keep the sword until you are ready to confess about your crimes, I can even consider sparing you then for father's sake."

Namgung Jang's face froze in response before he calmed down and behaved sensibly. Everyone believed that he was greatly shocked by his father's death, his emotions turning into a whirlpool that he couldn't bear to go against his last words even if he had to give up on his son's vengeance, but…

'I need to hurry back!'

In reality, the death of his father was the best news that he had heard in ages, the greatest consoling for his son's death! It was only that he needed to quickly go back to the Noble Sword House in order to take control of things before it was too late! Such a chance shouldn't be given for the great elder to make use of!

"Guh… huh. Sorry to have shown you a sight like this in the middle of everything."

As Namgung Jang quickly took hold of his son's corpse and dashed towards the stairs, Pung Chungwon turned to the stage with an apologetic smile. It was unknown what he thought inwardly, but he was being extremely courteous as if speaking to an esteemed guest.

"No need to worry, I love watching dramas like this. You can go ahead and start another one!"

Holding her chin in her palm as she stood, Cheon Jeong smiled in support. Unlike other members of the Society, the four pillars almost had no constraints, and the Blade Spirit always loved to use that privilege to act mischievously!

"Hahaha… you jest! I would also like to thank you for providing help and saving our youngins. The Murim Alliance will surely remember the Heavenly Strength Society's help!"

'Politics are strange as always.'

Even as he put most of his focus in meditation in order to recover a little bit, Leo kept an eye and an ear open to watch the scene that had already changed quite a bit. Regardless of the situation, it felt weird to have either conversation in the middle of ruins splattered with blood like this, but it seemed like everyone easily accepted that as the norm.

"Well in that case… Things should be almost done since spearhead went out to help, shouldn't we discuss what our kids should rightfully receive?"

"Hm?"

Cheon Jeong's playful tone suddenly turned sharp once the Sword Sage shrugged off her nonsense as if she had been precisely waiting for that moment!

"You know what I mean… The kids who have worked so hard to reach the finals of your great Sword Conference naturally have to receive what they deserve, don't you think so as well?"

'This is it!'

Leo watched as Cheon Jeong's words fell on the audience's ears like heavy bricks. Just as one would expect from a 'senior sister' like the Blade Spirit, the time for rightful extortion had finally arrived! Since he overtook the protagonist's burden, it was only right for him to take the rewards of this arc!