The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 14

At Abbot Damdeok’s question, no one responded.

The one who should have answered—Yeon—chose to remain silent.

“I extend my gratitude on behalf of this foolish disciple for the mercy you have shown.”

With a gesture of prayer, Abbot Damdeok dismissed Gongyeo back inside. The perverted monk fled as if his life depended on it, drawing the attention of the room for a brief moment. However, just as he vanished, the abbot’s sharp gaze landed precisely on Yeon.

‘Huh?’

Their eyes met—his deep, calm gaze reminding her of an unshaken river. Yeon had the distinct feeling that he knew something. But after just a moment, Damdeok turned his head away as if nothing had happened.

"Now then, let us formally begin the assembly."

From that moment on, the discussion became dreadfully boring. Yeon passed the time by occasionally making eye contact with Cheon-gang and admiring his handsome face. When that wasn’t enough, she entertained herself by having silent staring contests with Namgung Jihyeon.

Then, finally, a topic that caught Yeon’s interest arose.

"Moving on to the next issue. The following matter concerns the dispute between Baekha Escort Agency and Jeokhwa Trading Group..."

Jeokhwa Trading Group.

A newly rising merchant organization led by Jeokhwamun, which, in the future, would become the Bloodfire Trading Group under Baehwagyo’s influence. Not because they were forcibly converted, but because Jeokhwamun had always been a puppet of Baehwagyo from the start.

In the novel, this issue was glossed over, allowing Jeokhwa Trading Group to flourish unchallenged. Yeon’s reason for attending the assembly was to change that outcome.

‘I need to find the right moment to intervene.’

Just as she was gauging the atmosphere—

A loud commotion erupted outside.

"You dare act so disrespectfully! Benefactor, benefactor!"

The doors of Ipseoljeong flew open with force, and someone stumbled inside.

It was a woman—frail, haggard, and dressed in dark clothes so deep in shade they could have been mistaken for mourning attire.

Two musang (martial monks) rushed in after her. They had been assigned as security for the gathering, and their expressions were troubled as they pressed their palms together in a formal bow.

"Apologies, Abbot. This benefactor forced her way in against our attempts to stop her."

If she had been an evil practitioner or a marauding outlaw, the monks would have laid down their lives to block her. But she was a powerless civilian, and ironically, that made them hesitate to use force. She had forced her way in at the cost of her own well-being.

Abbot Damdeok let out a quiet sigh.

"What hardship has given you such courage, benefactor?"

Rather than questioning her identity or reminding her of the assembly’s importance, he asked about her circumstances first.

Both the woman herself and Yeon—who had been watching—were taken aback by his kindness.

Catching her breath, the woman finally spoke.

"I deeply apologize for the disturbance. However, I had no other choice... I know this is wrong, but—"

“Hah! If you know it’s wrong, then you should start by introducing yourself. Do you have any idea where you are right now?”

The voice dripping with disdain belonged to Paeng Ho-mok.

His reaction, which was the complete opposite of the abbot’s patience, made Yeon scowl.

‘Honestly, could he be any more of a cliché villain? No wonder Paeng Donghu turned out the way he did. Ugh.’

Whether it was due to embarrassment or frustration, the woman clenched her fists and trembled. Then, after a deep breath, she finally introduced herself.

“...I am Baek Ju-ah of the Baekha Escort Agency.”

"Hm?"

"What?"

Murmurs broke out across the room.

Baekha Escort Agency—the very subject of the discussion that had just begun.

Yeon carefully observed the expressions around her. Among them, one person’s face had darkened considerably.

It was the same man who had looked displeased the moment Baek Ju-ah entered.

‘Who was that again...?’

Digging into Hwang Bo Yeon’s memories, Yeon quickly recalled his identity.

It was Han Sa-wook, the young sect leader of Hyeongsan Sect.

At that moment, Paeng Ho-mok abruptly spoke up. With an exaggerated snort, he addressed the room rather than Baek Ju-ah directly.

"Everyone, I must admit—I barely know where this Baekha Escort Agency is located. But I don’t even need to ask why this woman has come. Am I the only one who sees it?"

“...Hmm.”

Uncomfortable murmurs spread through the audience.

Of course, her presence here implied that she intended to influence the decision regarding the dispute.

Sensing the shift, Han Sa-wook subtly raised his hand. His previously rigid expression had vanished, replaced by a composed demeanor.

"The dispute between Baekha Escort Agency and Jeokhwa Trading Group happened within Hyeongsan Sect’s territory. I had no intention of involving myself, but it seems an explanation is needed."

At his words, Baek Ju-ah’s eyes flickered with unease.

She appeared nervous, yet Han Sa-wook did not even spare her a glance.

On the surface, his expression was neutral, but Yeon couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something was off.

"Jeokhwa Trading Group is an organization formed by merchants who sought to revitalize Hunan’s economy. Fortunately, they have been operating without major conflicts, though they have yet to extend their influence to Northern Hunan."

So far, there was nothing particularly suspicious.

"This is because Baekha Escort Agency, the leading business in the northern region, has refused to join the group. Naturally, this has led to a conflict of interests—"

"That’s not true!"

Baek Ju-ah’s urgent voice interrupted him.

Han Sa-wook’s brow twitched slightly before he finally turned his gaze to her.

"Are you saying I’ve misstated something?"

"We refused to join not because of business conflicts, but because there were suspicious elements in Jeokhwa Trading Group’s operations."

Han Sa-wook let out a short sigh.

"You even submitted a formal request for our sect to investigate, did you not? But in the end, no issues were found. Do you not recall?"

"That’s because you didn’t investigate properly—"

Han Sa-wook’s eyebrow twitched again.

"Are you now suggesting that Hyeongsan Sect’s handling of the matter was flawed?"

"That’s not what I—"

"Enough. I have heard enough."

The interruption this time came from Paeng Ho-mok.

"I see now—you’ve come here dragging up an already settled matter. There is no point in discussing it further. Hyeongsan Sect has already conducted a thorough investigation. Isn’t that right?"

No one dared to refute Han Sa-wook.

As he had implied, questioning his words would be equivalent to challenging Hyeongsan Sect itself. However, Yeon’s suspicions only grew stronger.

‘This is way too convenient. Paeng Ho-mok and Han Sa-wook are obviously working together. Could the Paeng Family and Hyeongsan Sect also be involved with Baehwagyo?’

She had no way of knowing for sure. Perhaps there were hidden connections she wasn’t yet aware of. What was certain was that in the original novel, this matter had likely been dismissed without further scrutiny.

At that moment, Baek Ju-ah spoke in a trembling voice.

“...How can you say this matter is settled? The head of Baekha Escort Agency was assassinated. How can that be considered the end?”

‘Assassinated? He was assassinated? Wait, does that mean her clothes really are mourning attire?’

The raw pain in her voice caused a ripple of unease in the room. Before that emotion could spread further, Han Sa-wook immediately cut in.

“The death of Baekha Escort Agency’s leader was officially ruled a suicide. Following that, corruption within the agency was uncovered. I had refrained from mentioning it, but since you insist—”

“My father did not commit suicide! And he was never involved in corruption!”

Han Sa-wook let out a theatrical sigh and shook his head as if dealing with a stubborn child. His demeanor made it seem as though Baek Ju-ah was throwing a tantrum rather than seeking justice.

At this point, Yeon could no longer stay quiet.

"Why not simply conduct another investigation?"

"Yeon-ah?"

Hwang Bo Jeonggun turned to her in surprise.

In a gathering of family heads, younger members were typically present only as spectators. It was rare for them to speak, let alone interrupt. Naturally, all eyes fell on Yeon.

Paeng Ho-mok’s did as well.

“This is not a place for you to speak freely!”

‘And yet, you’ve been talking nonstop, haven’t you?’

Yeon suppressed the urge to shout those words. Unlike earlier, this was a moment to hold back.

“Oh, I apologize. I am Hwang Bo Yeon of the Hwang Bo Family. Since it has been a while since I last attended a gathering, I was just wondering—do I not have the right to speak?”

“Any attendee of the assembly may speak freely.”

The voice belonged to Abbot Damdeok.

As expected of Grandpa Damdeok.

Internally giving him a thumbs-up, Yeon continued.

“I am not accusing Hyeongsan Sect of any wrongdoing. However, whether or not an official investigation should be launched is a matter for this assembly to decide. If there truly is no issue, wouldn’t this silence all doubts?”

"Hmm..."

"Is that really necessary...?"

The responses were lukewarm.

It was clear that most of the attendees still viewed her as nothing more than a hougijisu—a younger generation member not yet fit to influence major discussions.

Just as Yeon was growing anxious, another voice spoke up.

"Is there a particular reason Lady {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Hwang Bo insists on this? Or is it simply because she is also a woman?"

The unfamiliar voice came from a man she didn’t recognize.

Rather than wasting time trying to recall his identity, Yeon immediately responded.

“No, I am speaking as a fellow human, not as a fellow woman.”

"A fellow human?"

"A person died. A family head lost their life, and their child has come here in person to plead their case. Shouldn’t we at least listen?"

"And what? Should we entertain every uninvited guest who demands attention? I know you are young, but try to think rationally. Tsk, tsk."

Once again, it was Paeng Ho-mok.

Yeon gritted her teeth.

‘I will remember this. I’ll make sure to pay you back for it someday.’

“That’s not what I’m saying. I understand that this has never happened before and likely won’t happen again. As the abbot mentioned earlier, very few people would have the courage to do what she did.”

Even as she spoke, Yeon knew her argument wasn’t strong enough.

This won’t convince them.

Desperate for an opening, she grasped at the only option left.

“So why not acknowledge that courage and grant an exception? It wouldn’t take much of your time—at the very least, we could put it to a vote. Whether to investigate or not, we could at least take a show of hands.”

"Ridiculous. A child who doesn’t understand her place should keep her nonsense to herself—"

Yeon clenched her fists.

Again with the child, child.

Just as she was about to snap, Abbot Damdeok intervened.

"Lord Paeng, perhaps you should calm yourself. This assembly is meant to be a place of mutual respect, is it not?"

The meaning behind his words was clear—Paeng Ho-mok had crossed the line.

Although spoken gently, it was a warning he could not ignore. With his pride as a family head on the line, Paeng Ho-mok reluctantly fell silent.

“I, for one, find this rather refreshing,” Damdeok continued. “The younger generation rarely speaks at these gatherings. Would it not be good if more young heirs were as willing to voice their thoughts as Lady Hwang Bo?”

His gaze swept over the silent descendants of noble families.

“As Lady Hwang Bo said, this is not an issue that requires much time. Let us resolve it swiftly. Those in favor of investigating the dispute between Baekha Escort Agency and Jeokhwa Trading Group, please raise your hands.”

Yeon immediately raised her hand and quickly counted the others.

‘This... this is way too few.’

It wasn’t even close.

At this rate, I won’t be able to change the original events.

Had she been too complacent, assuming that just because she knew the future, she could easily alter it?

She had just learned the hard way that changing fate was far more difficult than it seemed.

"Tsk. I knew it."

Paeng Ho-mok sneered at the expected outcome.

But Yeon had no energy to respond—her mind was racing for an alternative solution.

‘I need another plan. What should I do?’

Then—

Just as Yeon was losing hope, another hand rose into the air.

Silence fell.

All eyes turned toward the one who had lifted his hand.

His seat was positioned at the center of Ipseoljeong, a place of honor.

The room rippled with murmurs of astonishment.

“Hah, what an unexpected turn...”

“Indeed...”

As hushed whispers filled the hall, the man who had raised his hand turned his gaze to Yeon.

“I agree with Lady Hwang Bo’s words.”

Yeon’s eyes widened, a flicker of hope reigniting within them.

The one who had spoken was none other than Lee Cheon-gang, the heir of Zhongyuan’s greatest martial family.