Beastly and Fearlessly - Chapter 17
Only Noblemtl
Episode 17
“… … It was accomplished.”
Finally, I have reached the third level of Gyeonghashin Gong.
It is an incredible achievement compared to my previous life, where it took seven years of training to reach the same level.
Now, the number of guards erected on my body is as many as four.
When I was called Hong-an-gwi, I had eight treasures.
That alone earned him the false reputation of being one of the three greatest assassins of the Central Plains.
Now we are just one step away from that realm.
Of course, I plan to climb much higher in this life.
“Deoksam, let’s go.”
Deoksam, who had been sleeping, opened his eyes wide and answered.
“No, you just came up here, so why are you coming back down? It seems like your mental state has become too lax because you were recognized as a troublemaker.”
“It’s already been more than two hours since you fell asleep there.”
Whenever I opened my eyes after finishing my training in Mujangbong, Deoksam was always dozing off next to me.
He followed me, saying he would protect the law even though I didn’t ask him to.
He may be a bit rough around the edges, but he’s a loyal guy.
When I returned to the manor, my father was talking to someone.
There were ornaments made of ivory hanging here and there, and the awe-inspiring effect was tremendous.
Behind him, a large, stupid-looking man was wriggling his toes and twisting his body.
“This is Dongju of Mansang Gwakdong and Gwak Myeongsan. The child standing behind me seems to be Sodongju. He said he would get the elixir of the Central Plains and feed it to me, but his face looks just like a persimmon. But why did they come all of a sudden?”
The atmosphere was so tense that I couldn’t get involved and stood far away.
“… … What qualifications would you have? You’d only be tarnishing the name of the Beast Palace.”
I stepped forward in response to Mansang Gwak Dong-ju’s overly harsh remarks.
It was the moment when my father, frowning, was about to reveal his murderous intent.
“How can I prove that qualification?”
Mansang Gwak Dong-ju was looking me up and down as I suddenly appeared.
What are you looking at? I just saved your life, so you should be grateful.
* * *
A lazy person with neither talent nor perseverance.
A half-Namman with Central Plains blood.
Sodongju, who has not inherited any of the power of Namcheon Damdong that has been passed down for hundreds of years.
It was an evaluation of the damming that was widely spread in the south.
And the appearance reflected in Gwak Myeong-san’s eyes did not deviate much from the rumor.
‘What’s with that pretty face? Tsk tsk.’
He clicked his tongue as he compared the sight of his son standing behind him.
All things.
It means ten thousand elephants.
In terms of innate strength, he is not inferior to any other family in the Beast Palace.
I’ve been trying to get my name on the list for a long time.
But I could only watch the back of Namcheon Damdong, who was always ahead.
At that time, Kwak Man-hu was born.
A naturally divine force with a size that could make other children’s stomachs chubby.
In order to gain overwhelming power, he also secretly obtained elixirs full of yang energy from the Central Plains.
In return for such efforts, he gained tremendous power.
If you fight with only strength, even the warriors of the family will have a hard time dealing with it.
‘If he had been born in Mansanggwak-dong, he would have been my son’s servant… … .’
Even if you step forward with courage, you cannot fool your innate talent and the time you have spent training.
“Oh, you’re the one with the biggest reputation. I’ve heard a lot of rumors.”
“I am the one who is responsible. Now, please tell me what kind of proof you want.”
A voice with some spirit.
Even so, he is just a lazy bum who relies on his family’s status.
Dammuhun’s expression is mysterious.
Well, it must be awkward for So Dong-ju to come forward out of nowhere and prove it himself.
But for me, it’s an unexpectedly good opportunity.
“Actually, I was talking to your father about next year’s meeting. As you know, the Beast Palace is a place that worships strength. That means it’s a place where the strong are recognized. Do you agree with that?”
“I agree.”
“Then I guess I should also admit that the stronger family should have their name listed on the Paldong.”
“Of course.”
Look at this guy.
I thought you were just lazy, but you’re actually stupid. Hehe.
“So I was just about to make a suggestion to your father. You and the Sodongju of Mansanggwakdong compete, and the stronger one will attend the Sodonghoe next year. Wouldn’t that be in line with the laws of the Beast Palace that worships strength? What do you think?”
“… … .”
The lazy bum’s reply was delayed.
You set out with great interest, but you’re probably scared when you’re actually competing against that guy.
Today, I feel proud of my son’s strength.
By the way, this guy can’t avoid a confrontation now.
“It’s a family matter, so you don’t need to get involved. So… … .”
The moment Dammuhun intervened and tried to sort things out, Dammyeong opened his mouth.
“How will the competition be conducted?”
“Aha. Well, whatever method you want is fine. As long as it’s mutually acceptable. I think it’s a showdown between two families that aim for great power, so if possible… … .”
“Would something like a contest of strength be okay?”
I’m caught!
What an idiot.
Perhaps that guy doesn’t know that the kid standing behind me is the leader of the Mansanggwakdong gang.
Otherwise, there’s no way I would have suggested a contest of strength first.
“Good idea. The Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong is very spirited. He will succeed his father and lead the family well. Haha. Then, the Sodongju of both families will compete for strength, and the winner will attend the Sodonghoe next year, right?”
I hastily decided in case I changed my mind.
“… … But, you know.”
“Oh, but why?”
“Wasn’t I supposed to attend the original meeting? We’re giving you the opportunity because of Dongju’s suggestion. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be fair for both of us if Namcheondamdong gets something in return if I win?”
Look at this guy.
He wasn’t such a stupid guy.
It seems like they’re trying to avoid this confrontation by offering some great conditions, but that won’t be possible.
“Yes. Of course. Just tell me what you want. As the head of Mansanggwakdong, I will grant you anything I can. Of course, that is on the condition that you win.”
I will accept you no matter what the conditions are.
A contest of strength? Phew.
It’s a fight that’s already been won.
In fact, he didn’t think that Namcheon Damdong would accept his proposal.
I just wanted to create a little quarrel.
I was sure that idiot would be embarrassed at next year’s meeting, so I planned to formally request the position of Pal-dong after that.
‘I was lucky. I got caught by that lazy bum. Finally, Mansanggwakdong will be on the list of Paldongs in my generation… ‘
Kwak Myeong-san waited for Dam-myeong’s answer with greedy eyes.
* * *
“What can I receive that will be of help to the family?”
He whispered to Deoksam.
“Oh, well, anything that could make money is the best. Why did you suddenly accept the fight?”
“Why? Do you think I’ll lose?”
“You call that a horse? That stupid-looking elephant, or rather, a person, is the master of the world. How can a person defeat an elephant with force?”
I found out for sure today.
Deoksam is not only a talker to me, but to everyone in the world.
“Oh my. Namcheon Damdong, who had been famous for hundreds of years, fell into the abyss because of Sodongju who ate mushrooms… … .”
I turned around, leaving Deoksam’s sigh behind.
Kwak Dong-ju was waiting for my answer with greedy eyes.
“There are three conditions. First, the results of this match must be widely known.”
“Haha. Of course I was going to do that. It’s a formal showdown between the two families, so everyone should know the result.”
“The second is a sincere apology. I want to sincerely apologize to my father for doubting Namcheon Damdong’s ability and talking about bloodline. Of course, that is if I win.”
“If that’s what you heard, then you misunderstood. Anyway, I’ll accept that offer too. Now, what’s the third condition that remains?”
I looked at my father.
Now it’s an expression that says do as you please.
Maybe it’s a slightly expectant expression.
“Well, don’t you think we need some kind of appropriate compensation? Haha. After all, we accepted a difficult offer.”
Kwak Myeong-san answered with an expression that seemed to indicate that he knew what I was talking about.
“Haha! The Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong is very clever. I understand what you mean. I have brought enough gifts in case you accept my offer.”
Then he shouted to someone behind him.
“Bring the left box on the cart over there. Since Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong readily accepted my offer, I should show him the same level of sincerity. Haha.”
When I opened the large box, it was full of unexpected items.
“This is the best fabric in the Central Plains. It’s hard to find here. Since it was hard to obtain, this should be enough.”
In the South, goods from the Central Plains are precious.
Even the same item is sold at a much higher price.
And the fabrics in the box looked like very good products even at first glance.
But opportunities like this don’t come often.
“Well, it’s not something else, but rather a matter of attending the meeting. Isn’t this a bit too much? Couldn’t this be an event that could be a turning point for the Paldong?”
“Oh, you’re too greedy. But what can I do? This is all I have prepared for now.”
“There are two boxes you brought, but I can’t help but be curious since you only show me one.”
In an instant, Kwak Myeong-san’s face hardened.
The cart that Mansang Gwak-dong brought was carrying two large boxes.
He took down the left box and opened it in front of me.
The fact that he brought it to us as a gift is probably a lie.
I guess I stopped by on my way back from Jungwon.
You can tell by looking at their clothing that is similar to that of the Zhongyuan people.
If they even brought elixirs for their children, it means that there is already active trade with the Central Plains.
Would Gwak Myeong-san, who was trying to climb up Pal-dong by overtaking Namcheon Dam-dong, go there himself just to buy some fabric?
In addition, the right wheel rut of the cart is very deep.
So the contents of the remaining boxes are probably what I expected.
Because I heard before that a certain family in Namman was secretly looking for those things.
“Well, that’s something that has a use elsewhere, so it’ll be difficult. Even the fabric that’s out now is incredibly valuable… … .”
I approached Gwak Myeong-san, who was talking nonsense in a panic, and whispered quietly in his ear.
“Dongju, if you can’t climb Paldong, what good are all these things? You have to believe in the power of Mansang Gwakdong Sodongju.”
“Ah, no, but this is… … .”
I kept looking at the remaining boxes and couldn’t make a decision.
So I whispered in her ear one more time.
“Shouldn’t you see your son dressed up and going out to attend the party? I think next year’s party will be full of interest in Mansang Gwakdong Sodongju. I just need a reason for this fight. I’m not interested in such a bothersome event.”
Kwak Myeong-san looked at his son for a moment.
In that brief moment, many imaginations must have come to mind.
“Ah, I guess so. You too will need a justification for accepting the confrontation.”
He nodded quietly.
Eventually, the only remaining box was unloaded from the cart.
* * *
The rules of the contest he proposed were simple.
Who can move a giant rock farther in half the time?
It doesn’t matter whether you move it by lifting it or pushing it out.
The winner is the person who moves the piece one inch further from where it was first placed.
Instead, the rock must not break.
It was later discovered to be a common confrontation among the warriors of the Beast Palace.
It is perfect for testing strength as it requires the use of both upper and lower body strength.
Since it is also used as a training method for warriors, naturally, a huge rock is prepared in Namcheon Damdong.
There was a huge rock on one side of the battlefield that made you wonder if it could possibly be moved.
“Our Sodongju is going to have a showdown with that elephant-like guy from Mansanggwakdong.”
“What? Does that make sense? The size difference is huge.”
“Are you crazy for beating our Sodongju once in a fight? A contest of strength is different. How can a person beat an elephant?”
It seems that speaking without thinking is a tradition in Namcheon Damdong.
Anyway, the huge parade ground was soon filled with people.
Mansang Gwak-dong’s group consisted of about twenty people.
The rest are all warriors from Namcheon Damdong who came to watch.
“Okay, shall we get started now?”
Mansang Gwak Dong-ju’s eyes were full of confidence.