Beastly and Fearlessly - Chapter 38
Only Noblemtl
Episode 38
The next morning.
Sometimes I envy people like that.
People who completely forget about their drunken behavior last night.
“Good morning. Did you all sleep well?”
Bang Yak-ran greeted us in the morning with a bright smile.
I wanted to tell you that everyone had a hard time because of your drinking, but I held back.
“Did something happen last night? I don’t remember anything… … .”
“Nothing happened.”
It would be better for both of us if we covered it up like that.
Nok Seung-seo, who attended the funeral alone, was packing his simple luggage.
In fact, the luggage is just a simple bundle.
And a short, thin sword with a sharp edge.
The sword of assassination that I used in my previous life.
“Songgol, it’s a shame to send you away.”
We had a drink and talked to each other last night.
Songgol is a nickname I gave myself.
Nok Seung-seo hates his own name.
No, to be exact, his last name is ‘Green’.
“Dammyung, I’m happy to have met a friend who shares my heart for the first time. I’ll watch over you wherever you go.”
Anywhere… … .
A desperate voice, as if embarking on a final killing spree that was destined to fail.
I have a bad feeling about this.
I feel like I would do something stupid like point a sword at my family.
I have a feeling that if I let it go like this, I won’t be able to see you again.
I caught him turning around.
“Can you do me a favor? If you consider me a true friend.”
“Tell me. If it’s possible, I’ll listen.”
“I’ll be going to Jungwon after a while. I heard I was invited to the Yongbong branch.”
“Yongbongjihoe? Oh. That’s interesting. So?”
“Let’s go together!”
This will only delay what he is trying to do.
But if you look around the wide world, you might realize that.
The important thing is not fate, but myself.
Nok Seung-seo didn’t answer for a long time.
Sometimes he would look at the distant mountains, or close his eyes and bow his head.
I waited quietly.
Because it’s an important moment to postpone a homework assignment that you’ve been waiting for your whole life.
After a long time, he finally opened his mouth.
“… … Okay. Contact me when the time comes.”
“Well thought out. If you wish, the whole world will be your home.”
If his mind hasn’t changed after he returns, there’s nothing we can do.
Because it’s his choice.
Nok Seung-seo turned around and left.
I looked at his back.
It was a guy who looked like a sword with a lot of sharp edges.
Still, I’m glad that day has become a little dull.
I plan to return to Namcheon Damdong and devote myself to training.
Now it’s time to send this cheeky guy home.
“You too, have a good trip.”
I say a quick hello and try to turn around, but he grabs my clothes.
Bang Yak-ran was looking at me with an expression that looked like she was about to cry.
“Why? Do you still have something to say?”
“What? Give it back… … .”
What do you want back? Your heart?
Her eyes, which looked as if she might cry at any moment, were directed toward my shoulder.
A small white cloud sign has settled there.
It wags its tail when it sees me.
As if telling me to hurry and go home.
Since when has Namcheon Damdong been your home?
* * *
I walked alone towards Biyeongnok-dong.
Now is the time to return to the family.
Nok Seung-seo lost his mother when he was twelve years old.
The only person I could rely on and rely on.
In this way, he became an outcast in his family.
It is a shame that the rain is falling and it is becoming a burden.
‘You expected me, as a child, to know nothing.’
Who poisoned him and for what reason.
And who was the one who just watched, knowing all that?
I remember everything.
I gritted my teeth and held on.
I stole and learned the martial arts of my family that no one taught me.
I woke up alone and practiced while everyone was asleep.
There is only one purpose.
Destroying everything in the Byeongnok-dong they so desperately wanted to protect.
To destroy this filthy family with my own hands.
I lived my life with only one goal in mind, and I even obtained the imprint of Songgol that I had so desperately wanted.
Now all we need is time.
Suddenly I looked back.
In front of the wedding hall, Dam-myeong and Bang Yak-ran were still bickering.
I muttered with a faint smile that came to my mind without me realizing it.
“The whole world is my home… … .”
His last words.
For some reason, those words kept lingering in my head.
Could it be that the person who was trapped in the well of revenge was not myself?
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a tour of the Central Plains before you die.”
I turned my gaze again.
I could see Dam-myeong’s figure in the distance.
* * *
A guest house in Namcheon Damdong.
“… … That is why I brought you all here.”
Those gathered in the guest house of Namcheon Damdong are the heads of families located in the northeast of Namman.
Clans from regions bordering the Central Plains.
Of course, among these, the only family that belongs to Paldong is Namcheon Damdong.
Mansang Gwak Dong-ju, who had recently left with a gift of Mukganhancheol and high-quality silk, did not attend.
“So you’re saying that the people of the Central Plains are kidnapping and selling the women of the Southern Plains? Heh heh.”
“Yes. Not long ago, the head of the household in the main building encountered those guys in Jangseong County, Yunnan Province. Fortunately, they were killed and the women were rescued, but the mastermind has not been found yet.”
I didn’t get much information from the guy I caught back then.
Kidnapping a woman and escaping back to the Central Plains is not an easy task without help from within.
This is also the reason why we gathered all the members together today.
Maybe one of these… … .
“If that’s true, it’s really a big deal, but I honestly can’t believe it.”
“Me too. How can the people of the Central Plains run wild all the way here?”
“It is also true that the Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong solved the problem… … .”
The room became noisy.
Recently, there have been frequent calls to discuss Namcheon Damdong’s qualifications.
“Oh, everyone, be quiet.”
In the midst of the chaotic atmosphere, Yeonghomundongju Mun Se-jik stood up from his seat and opened his mouth.
A dignified appearance and a long beard.
At first glance, he seems like a bachelor who spent his entire life reading books.
However, when talking about the history of the Beast Palace, one of the families that cannot be left out is Yeonghomundong.
Because it was one of the first armchairs.
Although he has long since lost that status, behind that polite expression lies a desire for Pal-dong.
“Dam Dong-ju, I apologize on behalf of the other families. It seems that there have been many rumors questioning Namcheon Dam-dong’s qualifications recently, so everyone is a little excited.”
“No. We’re here to share various opinions. While we’re on the subject, let’s hear what qualifications you’re talking about. What qualifications does Namcheon Damdong, who has maintained the position of Paldong for hundreds of years, lack?”
Yeonghomundongju looked around for a moment and then opened his mouth.
As if he represented everyone.
“Since no one is speaking, I will speak on their behalf. In fact, there are many rumors that Namcheon Damdong is no longer the legitimate heir.”
“Bio agrees with what I said.”
Dongju from Nosan Geumdong joins in and livens up the atmosphere.
This is a family that always supports Yeonghomundong.
He is also the one who is complaining the most today.
Dammuheun answered with a frown.
“Only the Beast King can decide on the qualifications of the Paldong.”
Complaints erupted here and there as if someone had told them to.
“That’s true, but isn’t that only if you are qualified?”
“That’s right. It’s not a position that’s guaranteed forever.”
The story they really wanted to tell was brought up by Nosan Geumdongju.
“While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about Sodongju. Are you really going to pass on the dong?”
Dammuhun closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
In the end, what I want to say is the qualifications of So Dong-ju Dam-myeong.
“Besides, isn’t that a bit strange? I’ve heard that So Dong-ju has no interest in martial arts, so how could he have fought against so many warriors from the Central Plains? Of course, I’m not saying that he made up stories, but I have a feeling that he’s giving credit to So Dong-ju.”
The room began to murmur again.
“That’s true. If you skip training, what kind of skills do you have?”
“Maybe it’s because of the rumor that you defeated Sodongju of Mansanggwakdong in a showdown of strength last time… … .”
Dammuhun’s thick eyebrows twitched.
Those bastards are like burrs.
Even if everyone here jumps in together, it can be sorted out in an instant.
If the Iron Curtain comes out, the families that are nothing special will be wiped out in half a day.
However, these are also families that follow the Beast Palace.
The laws of the Beast Palace strictly prohibited conflict between the Nanman clans.
I suppressed my anger and opened my mouth again.
“So? What do you all want to say? Stop beating around the bush and say it.”
Yeonghomun Dongju opened his mouth with a reluctant expression.
“Doesn’t that mean you want to check if the Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong is qualified?”
“How can I prove my qualifications?”
“Imprint! Can you tell me what imprint you received at this Mansu Ceremony?”
They plan to use the imprint as an excuse to make a pretext.
Because up until now, there has never been an instance where a mark was given to someone who was not of the same lineage.
The moment the topic of Mansu-sik was brought up, the atmosphere flowed towards Yeonghomun-dong.
“Yeah, that’s right. If you had received anything, the news would have spread by now.”
“If this continues, won’t the Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong be the only one among the Paldongs that won’t receive the engraving?”
“What Moon Dong-ju said seems to be right. Maybe we should also prepare a new family to ascend to Pal-dong… … .”
Dammuheun sighed and closed his eyes.
The position of Dongju of Paldong is to persuade these idiots.
At this very moment, I was extremely envious of my older brother who had given up his position as Dongju and remained as a warrior.
The audience was in an uproar over the controversy over legitimacy, which was not in line with the theme of the meeting.
Of course, the ones who are the most excited are Yeonghomundongju and Nosan Geumdongju.
These scumbags are only concerned with their own rice bowls while other men’s women are kidnapped and sold.
How can I beat these kids up and feel better?
The moment when Dammuhun was in trouble.
A voice was heard coming from outside the guest room door.
“Your Majesty, Sodongju has returned from the palace.”
The long-awaited son has returned.
I wanted to run away at that moment, but I held back.
“Um. I’m currently in a meeting with several of my fellow comrades, so please wait a moment… … .”
At that moment, Yeonghomundongju interrupted Dammuheun’s words.
“Oh, you should at least introduce yourself. Besides, aren’t you on your way back from attending the Mansu Ceremony? We were all curious to know what kind of impression So Dong-ju received. If there was a good result, shouldn’t we at least congratulate him? Haha.”
His eyes sparkled as if he had seized the opportunity.
‘You must have come empty-handed, without any impression. You came back at a very opportune moment. Hehe.’
Yeonghomundongju smiled bitterly.
This is a good opportunity to directly expose the lack of qualifications for Paldong.
“Well, I should at least say hello.”
Dammuheun answered in a calm voice.
That little stamp doesn’t matter.
Because one day, everyone here will kneel before Ming and bow their heads.
“Come in.”
Squeak.
The door opened and Dam-myeong came in.
A physique that is as impressive as that of his younger brother, Dam Mu-Heun, despite his young age.
Intense eyes sparkled beneath thick eyebrows.
“Wow. To think that you could pray like that at such a young age… … .”
“Isn’t this different from the rumors I’ve heard? Didn’t you say he was the world’s greatest lazy bum with no ambition for martial arts?”
“Maybe it’s because of the rumor that you defeated the Sodongju of Mansang Gwakdong by force last time… … .”
His appearance was followed by murmurings here and there.
Dam-myeong slowly looked around, seemingly oblivious to the gossip around him.
As if he wanted to remember all their faces.
And I looked into their eyes one by one.
It means to remember your own face clearly.
After making eye contact with everyone, he opened his mouth in a relaxed, low voice.
“Hello. I am Dam-myeong, the head of Sodongju in Namcheon Damdong.”
Their eyes were all directed towards my left shoulder.