Beastly and Fearlessly - Chapter 37
Only Noblemtl
Episode 37
No one can turn back the passage of time.
Just like an old tree that has stood for a long time reveals its roots as it cannot withstand the light wind.
Like a huge rock being gradually eroded by flowing water.
That’s how everyone gets old and tired.
The same is true even for warriors who have reached the end of martial arts.
Even a king who looks down on the world is no exception.
The old king of Namman opened his mouth to me.
“Raise your head.”
The short words made my breathing rough.
I raised my head and met his eyes.
“Coolook, coolook… … .”
Traces of time quietly echoing throughout the vast space.
“What do you see with your eyes now?”
Dark space.
A ray of light streaming in through a small window.
It’s as if he’s reliving his past glory.
But time has already passed.
The glory has long since faded into the past… … .
I have no choice but to answer as I see it.
“I see an old and tired king.”
There was silence for a moment.
And after a while, a loud laughter echoed through the vast space.
“Hahahaha! That’s right. You’re the only one who says the right answer.”
My breathing became a little easier, perhaps because of the laughter.
“What will we see next?”
It clearly asks what to see.
Not what to do.
“… … I will see everything that catches my eye.”
“Haha. You are better than me. You already know what you will realize only after you have received the day of your death. If you only see what you want to see, it is like not seeing anything. You should take in everything in the world with your eyes.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Come closer.”
Thud, thud.
I climbed the large stone steps and stood in front of him.
He lifted his arm with difficulty and took my hand.
A little tremor.
Once upon a time, a single swing could spark a thousand sparks.
Now the hand, now nothing but wrinkled leather, was trembling.
“… … It’s a lonely road. My knees bend under the weight I carry, and when I suddenly turn around, there’s no one by my side.”
Too lonely to be the voice of a king.
“But it’s a path only you can take.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a red aura appeared on his hand.
A strange energy seeped into me through our held hands.
A faint but warm feeling.
His innate talent is running out.
It seeps into me as if it were my own.
The black dragon carved on my shoulder briefly took on a red glow, then quickly disappeared.
“I hope this will help you a little along the way.”
Only then did he let go of my hand and open his mouth.
“It shouldn’t be too late. Knock knock, knock knock.”
The last words of an old and weary king, struggling to bear the weight of his gigantic throne.
Come back soon.
So, he asked me to take the place where he was sitting.
“……All right.”
He is holding on, unable to put down what he is carrying.
Because I know all too well what will become of this land if I collapse.
please…….
I walked back down the stone steps.
Very slowly.
I wanted to let him see my back as I walked a little more.
I stopped in front of the door and turned around for a moment.
The Beast King suddenly stands up from his seat.
For a moment, the image of the young Beast King overlapped.
Standing here on the land of Namman, I dared to look up at the sky.
The look in his eyes was the same as back then.
The old king was no longer here.
His eyes were speaking to me.
There was only a quiet silence, but his loud voice seemed to be heard.
It seemed as if his tightly shut mouth was saying this.
Come back as king!
* * *
I left the main gate of the Beast Palace.
Now it’s time to go back to Namcheon Damdong.
I looked back for a moment.
A huge wall that rises to the sky.
It felt like the Beast King was watching me from somewhere out there.
Leaning against the wall, waving his wrinkled hands with difficulty.
The meaning of the red aura he gave me was probably… … .
A comforting reminder that we will always be together, so do not be afraid.
Perhaps the will to watch over the path I walk.
He took out the red cloud box from his bosom.
It glows red with a gentle heat.
It was as if his energy permeated inside me and resonated with each other.
He greeted the Beast King Jin Jung-ak, who was watching from somewhere, in a recitative tone.
“I will return before it is too late. I will become king as you said… … .”
The old man who had been quietly watching the scene approached and spoke.
“Jeokun Gap has found a new owner.”
“I can only thank the Beast King for giving me strength.”
“Nonsense. It is possible because you are qualified. The first time he drew out the energy of the flames was ten years after receiving the seal of the Red Dragon. I was there at that time, so I remember it clearly. But look at you. It’s only been a few days since the seal was given… … Heh heh.”
Where his gaze lingers.
A red aura was flowing out like fog from the red cloud armor in my hand.
“But there is something I don’t understand.”
“What is it?”
“You clearly have a pitch-black dragon carved into your shoulder. But how can you draw out the power of the Red Cloud Armor, which is the divine object of the Red Dragon? Isn’t it a dragon of a different color?”
Then perhaps the imprint given to me is that of a female dragon, not a black dragon.
A giant dragon that will devour everything in the universe.
“I don’t know. This is my first time with the dragon’s imprint.”
“Hey, kid! Of course it’s your first time. So you said there are cases where dragons of different colors overlap each other? Kkk.”
Nosa, I think there might be something like that.
This guy engraved on my shoulder right now is probably… … .
“I should have taken more care of it, by the way.”
The old man kept looking back as if he was regretting it, even though he had taken several bottles of the wine the priestess had made.
“When you go to the Central Plains, I will bring you some amazing Shaoxing wine, so don’t be too disappointed.”
There is a place called Nakwolru where you can have a drink while looking at the moon rising over Cheonghae Lake.
In my experience, the Shaoxing wine here is the best.
Of course, the priestess’s wine was also excellent.
“Have you already heard that I’m going to Jungwon? You told me to keep it a secret. Tsk tsk.”
Me in the Central Plains? Suddenly?
We were talking about alcohol, but I’m confused because Jungwon-haeng suddenly came up.
But if you show a flustered look at this time, it is no different from giving up on the information that is about to pour out of the mouths of the labor and management.
“Where in this world can there be any secrets? It seemed that everyone in the palace knew. So, what does Your Majesty think about my going to the Central Plains?”
Now, tell me everything you know.
Why am I suddenly going to Jungwon?
I thought it was a plausible performance, but contrary to expectations, the answer from Noh Sa was not easy to come by.
After being lost in thought for a while, he opened his mouth in an awkward voice.
“Hmm… … I don’t know. Even if it’s a short trip to the Central Plains, it could be a major turning point in your life. Just like Dong-ju was.”
Although he is now an old man who pours a drink with his only arm, he is also a warrior who has fought for the Beast Palace his entire life.
A warrior of the Beast Palace to the core, just like his uncle, Lady Dammu.
The future he wants for me is to be the Beast King.
Protecting the Namman and Beast Palace without leaving this land.
“Anyway, since I was invited, I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go and broaden my horizons.”
It’s an invitation.
Where did the young, blue warrior of the Beast Palace come from?
“It’s a bit hard to watch those guys who are not even a handful of people talk nonsense like they’re the last indices of the political faction. What’s the name of the Yongbongjihoe (龍鳳支會)? The real dragons are here. They call each other the Five Dragons (五龍) and the Three Phoenixes (三鳳) as if they were some kind of big deal… Tsk tsk.”
Oh, was that it?
Yongbongjihoe is a meeting where the later leaders of a political faction gather together and force friendship.
Of course, it is hosted by the Murim Alliance.
Sometimes it’s like a martial arts competition, and other times it’s just a gathering to get to know each other.
“But why did you invite me to the Beast Palace when you were holding the Yongbong branch of the Jeongpa? Aren’t you the ones who always ignore me, calling me a newcomer?”
“How could I know? It seems that invitations were sent not only to the Beast Palace but also to other Sae-Oi sects. It seems that the leader has some hidden agenda that we don’t know about.”
Murim leader Murong Cheon (慕容穿).
He is the current head of the Muryong family and a big shot in the Jeongpa faction who leads the Murim Alliance.
To lead the Moorim Alliance, the largest alliance of political factions, you must be a political figure.
But Mo Yong-cheon is not that kind of person.
Rather, it can be said to be truly unmanned.
“But somehow, it seems like you didn’t know much about the trip to the Central Plains?”
He smiled brightly at the manager and answered.
“I just found out.”
* * *
Nok Seung-seo and Bang Yak-ran decided to accompany each other to Chwihonru, where they had first met.
Since we’re going there anyway, we plan to part ways there.
Bang Yak-ran was happily chattering on the way home after safely receiving her seal.
“I’m definitely going to become friends with this kid on my way back.”
“I hope so.”
“I heard from the palace that the raw pork at the Chwihonru restaurant where we stayed the other day was really good. I have to try it.”
“I hope so.”
“So, what are your plans now, Mr. Dam So-dong?”
“I hope so.”
Bang Yak-ran’s lips curled up, as if she was not satisfied with my answer.
Why does he only talk to me?
Here, you can also find Nok Seung-seo, the eldest son of Bi-eung-nok-dong.
Well, that guy is always quiet.
This time, the goal of the chat was Nok Seung-seo.
“But Mr. Nok Sodongju… … . Ah. I made a mistake.”
She realized her slip of the tongue and covered her mouth.
Nok Seung-seo is the eldest son of Bi-eung Nok-dong, but he is not So-dong-ju.
Even with that much talent… … .
“It doesn’t matter. I have no attachment to that little troublemaker.”
He is a man optimized for killing.
It’s certain because it’s the eyes of a former special agent.
He possessed patience and steadfastness, and was skilled in secret techniques and a considerable level of swordsmanship.
Even in his family, Bi-eung-nok-dong, it would be difficult to find someone with as much talent as him.
In addition, it has acquired the imprint of the ‘Songgol’, the fastest bird in the world.
“Okay. What do you plan to do next?”
The labor union asked the questions I was curious about.
“Actually, I came to see you early this morning after being called by the Commander of the Dammu Army.”
“Oh. No way… … .”
“He asked me if I had any intention of joining the Iron Troops. He told me to break free from the shackles of my family and walk the path of a true warrior.”
“Okay. What did you say?”
“I was very happy to hear that. It was the Iron Troops I had dreamed of my whole life.”
“It’s a good thing for both of us. It’s not common for a single warrior to be taken by the leader himself. Your talents are definitely… … .”
“I declined.”
“No, why?”
“There is something I must do before that.”
If my guess is correct, Nok Seung-seo is trying to tie up something on his own.
That’s why I wanted Songgol’s imprint so much.
There is darkness in him.
The kind that only those with desperate and desperate goals can feel.
It would certainly be a risky undertaking whose success or failure cannot be determined.
But something so desperate that it must be achieved even at the cost of one’s life.
For example, revenge against those who ruined my mother’s life…
“What does my pretty child plan to do when he returns to Gwisubangdong?”
Since Nosa is already at the age of 100, he can call Bang Yak-ran a baby.
If I had found my match early, I would have had a great-granddaughter like her.
“First, you have to choose this child. The cloud shape has become darker. It’s anxious, grinding its teeth, and lingering around someone, all of which mean the same thing. It means it’s time to choose a master.”
I remembered the image of the guy waiting for me all night, grumbling.
After that, it continued to hover around me.
Could it be me?
* * *
We arrived at the wedding hall and stayed for one night.
Of course, I ate as much raw meat as Bang Yak-ran recommended and also had a drink.
Nosa went into the kitchen a long time ago, saying that he would make his own special side dish.
As always, Deoksam was with his nose buried in the table, and Nokseungseo was standing blankly by the window, staring at the dark night sky.
At the drinking party, only Bang Yak-ran and I were left.
This beautiful woman from Namman is weak to alcohol.
Maybe this is your first time drinking it.
I can tell by the wide-open eyes looking at me now.
“Puppy! Puppy!”
Calling a perfectly good name ‘Dammeong’.
“I’m listening.”
He answered, pouring a glass of Shaoxing wine into his mouth.
“Don’t mess with my dark incense stick.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You’d better seduce me… … .”
“I don’t think so.”
Knock knock.
Suddenly he pulled out a chair and came closer to me.
Then he comes close enough to me that I can hear him breathing and looks up at my face.
Two large cat-like eyes beneath thick eyebrows.
Smooth brown skin and plump lips.
And the thick scent of Shaoxing wine that comes with the hot breath.
She opened her mouth again with a twisted tongue.
“Hey, don’t like me.”
“That’s what’s happening.”
Namman’s women are very proactive.
“Don’t like me. Honestly, aside from being handsome, having a good body, fighting well, and coming from a good family, what else do I have? Oh. You’ve also got the dragon’s mark. Anyway, don’t like me. I’m Bang Yak-ran from Gwisoobangdong.”
I don’t know what else there should be besides what I’ve listed now, but I know one thing.
This reckless guy needs to be put to bed ASAP.