Beastly and Fearlessly - Chapter 28
Only Noblemtl
Episode 28
It takes about three days from Namcheon Damdong to the meeting place, Manjisan Mountain.
There is no need to rush.
I walked leisurely and checked my condition.
The Gyeonghashin Gong has already reached the third level.
Thanks to consistently practicing the Naegongsim method, the size of my danjeon has also grown considerably.
Unfortunately, the growth of the dark soul is slow.
I need to get to this stage quickly, Gwangan.
I understand all the provisions of the bankruptcy and foreclosure laws.
All it takes is time to practice to make it completely mine.
The Gyeongcheon Sword has only taken one step forward.
I’ve learned the basics of vegetarianism a long time ago, but I’m still far from the hidden, mysterious principles.
The old master’s words that he would practice for the rest of his life were not a lie.
The martial arts of the Beast Palace become more and more amazing the more you practice them.
There is something mysterious and profound in the rough and simple movements.
At first it seemed like one big road, but as I walked along it seemed like there were numerous forks in the road?
Even if several people learn the same martial arts, they will all reach different peaks after they become great.
The problem is this guy… … .
That thing near my heart still doesn’t respond.
At least the presence of something solid is felt.
When the time comes, you will wake up.
And give me strength, just like you did then.
“We’ll camp here today. If we leave early in the morning, we’ll arrive at the meeting place before the sun sets.”
The old man sat down on the wide plain and said.
Deoksam went to get firewood, and I headed to a small empty lot nearby.
Training is possible as long as you have enough space to swing a sword.
My father gave me his sword for temporary use.
Last time, the great Mansang Gwak Dong-ju generously donated a share of the Mukgang Hancheol, and I also have my share.
I just haven’t found a field that I can handle properly yet.
If the kid can find out about No Cheong-bong and persuade him, I’ll have a really cool sword.
Of course, this sword is also a very good sword.
Father’s consideration to not let you die when you go to the Beast Palace.
Sling.
He drew his sword.
A size that would be twice that of a normal sword.
It is said that Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade weighed a whopping eighty-two geun.
I don’t know if it’s true.
Although not that heavy, the weight of this sword is also considerable.
It must weigh at least thirty pounds.
The weight of one sword is equivalent to that of a five or six year old child.
And that’s a sword that you swing with one hand.
But what was more surprising was the fact that I could wield this sword so easily.
Shhh. Shhh.
A huge but sharp blade cuts through the hot air of the South Sea.
“How about the weight?”
The old man, who was watching from the shade of the tree, asked.
“Well, a little bit… … .”
“In fact, Dongju’s sword is a bit heavy. It is probably rare to find a sword of this size in the entire Beast Palace. If you are not a warrior with natural strength like Dongju, you will not be able to swing it properly. However, you will soon have a sword of the perfect weight for you.”
“That’s a little… a little light.”
“What?”
Actually, I was surprised too.
How can this heavy sword feel so light?
I knew he was stronger than other warriors.
It may not be just because of training.
Somehow, I feel like my strength is gradually increasing.
The surprised old man snatched the sword from me and began swinging it with difficulty.
After a while, he returned it to me and muttered to himself.
“Haa. This guy is also born with strength. He was born with it. Who would say he’s not rich?”
Well, where would the bloodline go?
I have my father’s strength and physique, and my mother’s face.
It’s a good thing they’re not interchangeable.
“Let’s see. Doesn’t Sodongju suddenly seem taller?”
The old man approached and compared his height with his own.
Even compared to the young warriors, Nosa is not short.
It will be above average in Namcheon Damdong.
But I am bigger.
My body also feels bigger.
“Good. Just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you’re strong, but if you’re at the same level, the one who’s strong and tough will win. And from now on, when you try to learn something, strength and stamina won’t be a hindrance.”
The last words of Nosa.
Strength and stamina are holding me back… … .
I already felt it deeply in my bones in my past life.
“Perhaps when you arrive at the Beast Palace, the priestess will welcome you warmly. When Sodongju was young, she loved him very much. Of course, you won’t remember.”
Of course I don’t remember.
Because the me of now is not the me of back then.
“She said this. People have a destination they will eventually arrive at. Even if they take a different path, if they don’t forget their destination, they will eventually get there.”
They say that fate is determined… … .
I didn’t believe it, but somehow I got one more life.
This must be fate.
“When you were a toddler? She looked at you in her arms for a long time and then said this.”
The old man looked at the distant sky as if lost in thought.
And then he met my eyes again and opened his mouth.
“’This kid will go very high. So whatever he does, just leave him alone.’ That’s what I’m saying. Whether he’s being lazy or not interested in martial arts, just leave him alone. Haha. Isn’t he really brave? Didn’t he really grow up like that?”
Yeah, that’s right.
I was letting this talent rot away by taking naps every day.
By the way, you’re going to climb to a very high place.
Was it a saying, or was it my fate that she read?
“But what was truly surprising was what he said next. At the time, I thought he was just saying something and let it go, but now that I think about it, it gives me goosebumps.”
“What did the priestess say?”
“I told you, So Dong-ju, that there would be a moment when you would suddenly change into a different person. As if another person’s soul had entered your body. Haha. But I never thought that day would actually come. Hahaha.”
As if someone else’s soul had entered…
I got goosebumps all over my body.
* * *
A small village at the foot of Manjisan Mountain. Hyonyeongchon.
There is a large inn there that doesn’t fit in with the village.
Drunken Spirit Building.
It’s a place you must stop by at least once as it’s located on the way to the Beast Palace.
If you just pass this place, there are no other guest houses until you reach the palace.
Excluding Namcheon Damdong, three places had already arrived.
The main characters who were going to participate in the Mansu ceremony were gathered in one place and talking.
The other party that came with them are gathered on the other side and preparing to depart for the Beast Palace.
“You’re the closest one, but you keep the other families waiting. It’s just as the rumors say. What do you think? Isn’t the rumor that you’re lazy just right? Haha.”
Jin Ja-hong, the so-called “little brother of Changcheonjindong,” asked Nok Seung-seo.
Nok Seung-seo is the eldest son of Bi-eung Nok-dong, but he is not So Dong-ju.
Rather, it would be more appropriate to say it is the family’s shame.
His mother was a maid who served the landlady of Biyeongnok-dong.
But the problem was her strikingly beautiful appearance.
One day, her master, Green Ye Ke, raped her and she gave birth to Green Seung Seo at the young age of nineteen.
Of course, there was harassment from Dong-ju’s wife, but everyone, including Dong-ju, turned a blind eye.
When Nok Seung-seo was twelve years old, she suffered from an unknown illness and died without receiving proper treatment.
Everyone thought he would leave the family alone, but he stayed until the end.
There were subtle threats to tell him to leave the family, and Dong-ju even called him in separately to try to persuade him, but he did not leave.
As if there was still work left for him to do in this family.
“I don’t believe rumors. I only believe what I see with my own eyes.”
Nok Seung-seo responded as if it had nothing to do with him.
His two eyes were fixed on the small, slender sword in his left hand.
Something that only the assassins of the Central Plains would use.
She resembled her mother and had a beautiful appearance like a woman.
If it weren’t for that icy cold look on his face, there would be a line of men waiting for him.
The Bi-eung-nok-dong clan is a family that values stealth and quick movements.
In other words, it means a family specialized in ambush attacks.
Compared to the Central Plains, it is closer to a sect that trains professional assassins.
So, unlike other warriors of the Beast Palace, he has a slim physique.
The family’s martial arts also specialize in quick swordsmanship, dark techniques, and light techniques.
“But did the priestess really send you a message? To tell you to attend this Mansu Ceremony? I can’t understand her thoughts.”
“Why is there a problem? I am the eldest son of Biyungnokdong, so I am more than qualified.”
“No. I’m not saying you’re not qualified, but don’t you think everyone else thought that way? The Mansu Ceremony is only given to those of pure blood. Haha. So, what kind of impression do you expect from this Mansu Ceremony, the eldest son of Bi-eung-nok-dong?”
Although it was a humiliating remark, Nok Seung-seo’s expression remained unchanged.
“Will it come true if I just wait? I intend to accept the result, no matter what imprint is engraved.”
The answer was like this, but there was another imprint that Nok Seung-seo desperately wanted.
Songgol (pine and swan).
The fastest bird in the world.
It usually hovers in the highest places, invisible to the naked eye, and glides leisurely.
Then, when it spots its prey, it dives down at lightning speed and catches it.
The targeted prey is unaware of death until the moment when a sharp, hook-shaped claw is sank into the nape of its neck.
‘You must receive the Songol seal. Any other seal is meaningless.’
The moment I bit my lips and strengthened my resolve, I heard Jin Ja-hong muttering.
“By the way, this Mansu ceremony is a mess in many ways. He’s a half-brother with the blood of the Central Plains, and he’s the eldest son who was abandoned by his own family. Tsk tsk.”
He must have heard it clearly, but there was no change in Nok Seung-seo’s expression.
I’ve heard this kind of ridicule countless times.
Jin Ja-hong looked around the guest room with an annoyed expression.
The group of Changcheonjindong consisted of thirty people, including Sodongju himself.
Gwisoo Bangdongju sent twelve men to support his only daughter.
Of course, Nokseungseo of Biyeongnokdong came alone.
“So many people are waiting because of that guy from Namcheon Damdong? He’s not even qualified to participate in the Mansu ceremony… … .”
Jin Ja-hong muttered again.
Bang Yak-ran, who was quietly stroking the dark cloud sign in her arms, frowned.
‘Is that the kind of personality you have if you were born with the Heavenly Martial Arts? Or is your personality just that crazy? I had high expectations for you because I heard you would be the next Beast King.’
It’s hard to believe that he is of the Beast King’s bloodline, with his words and demeanor.
If someone like that becomes the Beast King, it will be a tragedy for the entire Beast Palace.
It might be better for the lazy bum of Namcheon Damdong, known as the world’s greatest lazy bum, to become the Beast King…
“What kind of engraving do you want, Miss Bang? Surely you don’t want the little cat in her arms. Haha. Well, it is cute.”
Jin Ja-hong’s eyes were scanning her up and down.
“It’s not a cat, it’s a cloud leopard. It’s also called a cloud leopard.”
How can you not recognize the one and only spirit in the world?
And then there’s that unpleasant look.
“Ah! Unpyo. I’ve heard of it. It’s small and cute, so I guess you could keep it as a pet. Hehe.”
I was going to reveal the dark clouds, but I gave up.
Because I don’t want to go through the trouble of explaining it in detail to someone who doesn’t know its value.
“By the way, what kind of engraving would the Sodongju of Changcheonjindong want? I think everyone is curious about that.”
Bang Yak-ran asked.
Jin Ja-hong still couldn’t take his eyes off her.
‘They say Bang Dong-ju raised her with great care, and indeed, she has a dazzling beauty.’
Bang Yak-ran, who felt the blatant gaze, asked again.
“I asked what kind of engraving you wanted.”
“Ahem. I was just thinking about something else. Did you ask about the imprint I was expecting?”
Everyone gathered in the guest house focused their attention on it.
Among the eight clans, Jin Ja-hong is the one who shows overwhelming ability.
Naturally, the main character is the one who is receiving all the attention at this year’s Mansu Ceremony.
He was considered a genius from the moment he was born, and was considered to be the next Beast King, following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
Everyone was curious about what he was thinking.
Knock knock.
Jin Ja-hong, who had been sitting, stood up and pushed away her chair.
And then slowly climbed up onto the table.
He opened his mouth and looked down at everyone.
“As you all know, my name is Jin Ja-hong. Jin Ja-hong, the Sodongju of Changcheonjindong.”
All eyes in the guest room were focused on him.
There was an unmistakable pride in his voice.
In the Mansu ceremony, each person’s status is engraved with a shape that suits them.
There have been no exceptions for hundreds of years.
The effect of the imprint is twofold.
You can read what kind of fate you have.
If you get the mark of a strong beast, you will definitely become a great warrior.
If the picture of a dragon is engraved on it, it will reign.
The second effect is the new power that the imprint gives.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone.
Only a select few were granted new powers upon being imprinted.
The Beast Kings of all time were like that, and Dammugun, who was called the best warrior in the Beast Palace, was also able to obtain the title of Perfect Warrior with the power given by the black bear’s imprint.
“As you all know, the current Beast King is my grandfather. Naturally, he is also very interested in this Mansu Ceremony. It is only natural, since it is a ceremony where his only grandson receives the imprint.”
Jin Ja-hong’s voice was full of confidence.
“This is a secret, but I’ll tell you since you’ll soon find out anyway. I heard that the priestess felt a great energy a while ago. She received some kind of oracle. That’s why she brought forward the scheduled Mansu ceremony.”
The previously quiet guest house became noisy.
“A trust? A trust?”
“Oh. I heard that the last time the oracle was passed down was when the current Beast King was holding his longevity ceremony. So it’s already been over sixty years.”
“Then, at this Mansu Ceremony, there might be a new beast… … .”
“Oh, you. Watch your words. The Beast King is still strong, so how dare you say such disrespectful things.”
Jin Ja-hong watched the others’ surprised sight with a pleased smile.
When things got quiet for a while, he opened his mouth again.
“It’s a bit awkward for me to say it myself, but everyone seems to have the same expectations. This Mansu Ceremony will be a historic moment that signals the beginning of a new era. The other families here can also consider it an honor. Haha.”
“So what kind of imprint are you talking about?”
Bang Yak-ran asked again in an irritated voice.
“Ah, the mark that will be engraved on my shoulder will of course be red… … .”
Squeak.
At that moment, the guest room door creaked open.
Everyone in the guest house turned their gaze toward the entrance.
A moment later a large man came in and shouted loudly to someone.
“A fly! A red dung fly at that!”
Jin Ja-hong, who suddenly received the dung fly imprint, turned his head with a bewildered expression.
There stood a man, waving his hand as if annoyed, swatting away a fly.