Tangmunjeon - Chapter 248



Only Noblemtl

Episode 248 Yanggwak, Baekyahyo and Hyeongong

The moment Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju Yang-gwak heard Yoo Jin-gwang’s story, he realized. The story about piercing the heart was not a lie.

‘What should I do now?’

Yang Gwak was left with only two simple choices.

First, bow down in a cowardly manner and remain in the party as long as possible to see if there is a chance to save one’s life.

Second, accept death with dignity and give strength to my story even a little.

Naturally, Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju’s mind was turned towards the former. He had lived that way his entire life.

On the day when the assassins of Salmak were burned alive, Yanggwak was unable to utter a single word in front of Dangmujin.

It was the same on the day I came to see Dangmujin as a shaman. Since I thought Dangmujin would come looking for me if I returned to Taeui Inspection, I abandoned Taeui Inspection and ran away, making my position as Taeui Inspection Lord meaningless.

‘I’ve always been like that.’

In that moment, disillusionment filled Taeui Geommunju Yang Gwak’s body and mind.

It is not disillusionment with the world, but disillusionment with one’s own powerlessness and weakness.

From the past until now, Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju’s life has been filled with nothing but emptiness and regret. It will certainly be the same in the future.

‘It’s a miserable life.’

A life stained with being swept here and there, tossed around, and running away.

Even if you wander around looking for a way to survive, the chances of escaping Yoo Jin-kwang’s gaze and surviving are slim.

Yanggwak opened his eyes wide. Yanggwak didn’t come all the way to Mt. Wudang to run away.

If my only goal was to escape and survive, I would have shaken off my grudge long ago. I wouldn’t have harbored a grudge for years, and I wouldn’t have risked my life to come all the way to Mt. Wudang.

That is why Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju Yang-gwak mustered up his courage and shouted for the first time in his life.

“I’m not a fight-avoiding piece of trash. If you have any complaints, come with me!”

His jaw was trembling, and he felt like his teeth were chattering like a coward’s. Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju clenched his molars.

‘Did he notice that I was scared? No. He probably wouldn’t have noticed this much.’

However, contrary to Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju’s expectations, the other warriors noticed the fear Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju felt. They just didn’t show it.

Those who have never raised a sword in front of an enemy and have never faced fear believe that courage and spirit must be perfect. This was the case with Taeui Geommunju Yang Gwak.

But the other drones, having faced their fears, knew full well that such perfection could not exist.

Taeyi Geommunju, as seen by the martial artists throughout the Central Plains, was a man of considerable courage. At least for this moment.

Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju headed out of Namhwa-gak, hiding his trembling legs.

Yu Jin-gwang and Dang Mu-jin followed him, and the people who had gathered at Namhwagak followed Yu Jin-gwang and Dang Mu-jin. Even Yeongbo Jin-in mingled with the people while riding on Hyeon-gong’s back.

Before long, the seagull appeared.

What was stored in Haegeomji was not the sword of Yanggwak, but his life. The moment you take the sword out of Haegeomji, you die.

Yanggwak looked back on the past.

Unlike his outstanding father, he did not live up to expectations. Yang Gwak respected his father as much as the sky.

However, Dang Mu-jin was a genius of the ages who surpassed his father at a young age. Yoo Jin-kwang would be far above Dang Mu-jin.

‘I am a bug.’

Yang Gwak knew his subject. He did not have the capacity to confront the giants.

It is extremely difficult to even leave a small scratch, let alone stab the opponent with a knife.

But at this moment, Yanggwak decided not to be a mere bug, but a bee. Not a bug that hides under fallen leaves to survive, but a bee that stings once and dies.

Even if I gave my life, all I could leave for Dangmujin would be a brief sting. But even that opportunity was desperately needed.

Yanggwak pulled himself together.

‘This is your last chance.’

Yanggwak grabbed his sword from Haegeomji and came out.

In front of him was Yu Jin-kwang, with his sword hanging down. A supreme master, a world-renowned Six-Way Master.

A man standing infinitely tall and infinitely far away. It seemed that even if he died and came back to life ten times, he would never be able to reach Yoo Jin-kwang.

But Yanggwak took up his sword.

Yoo Jin-kwang also took up his sword. To anyone who looked at it, it was not an ordinary posture. Yoo Jin-kwang held his sword horizontally, raised both arms high, and leaned them back. The two hands holding the sword were close to his right ear.

At first glance, I thought he was trying to make fun of me, but Yoo Jin-kwang didn’t look like someone who would swing a sword like that. It must have been an extraordinary herbivore’s preparation posture.

Yanggwak shouted.

“Okay, Neunggwanggeom. Taeuigeommunju Yanggwak is coming!”

However, Yang Gwak couldn’t rush in. There was someone blocking Yoo Jin-kwang. It was Dang Mu-jin.

“This is not something we can leave to the Jewish people.”

“I’m fine.”

“It’s not a matter of whether it’s okay or not. It’s something I have to do.”

“···If you think so, then do so.”

At Dang Mu-jin’s words, Yoo Jin-kwang put down his sword and stepped back.

Now that Dang Mu-jin appeared with a sword in his hand, Yang Gwak’s heart began to beat even faster.

Yang Gwak knew it too. Yoo Jin-kwang knew it too, but Dang Mu-jin was not an opponent that Yang Gwak’s sword could reach.

And yet somehow it seemed possible.

Dang Mujin naturally raised the tip of his sword. Everyone around him held their breath.

Dang Mu-jin did not necessarily yield the player to the opponent.

Dang Mu-jin has never lived his life swinging his sword so lightly. He must always do his best when his life is at stake.

Yang Gwak clenched his teeth and ran towards Dang Mujin, intending to take the player.

However, the moment Yanggwak took two steps forward while following the law, something like a ray of light pierced Yanggwak’s chest.

‘Stab it!’

Yanggwak’s eyesight was not enough to properly see Dangmujin’s sword.

However, Yang Gwak’s survival instinct stood out on the edge of the sword.

Yang Gwak displayed the most perfect defense of his life against a sword that was barely visible.

And surprisingly cleanly, he deflected Dangmujin’s sword.

‘I blocked it! I blocked it!’

It felt like Yanggwak’s head was burning with joy.

‘You can do it!’

But the very next moment, Yang Gwak felt a sharp pain in his chest.

Yang Gwak looked down. There was a sharp sword stuck in the center of his chest.

The first thing that Yanggwak repelled was not Dangmujin’s ultimate attack.

It was one of the many swords that Dangmujin could show, and it was a sword that could be extended again if blocked.

Blood flowed from Yanggwak’s mouth. If only he had been a little more talented. If only he had tried a little harder. If only he could have blocked the sword a couple more times.

It was a pity. But I had no regrets.

Because the bee’s tiny venom wasn’t contained in a sword.

‘Father, that bastard did it once.’

Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju died with a smile on his lips.

*

Phew-

Dang Mu-jin sighed and put away his sword.

‘I feel uneasy.’

It wasn’t a thought that occurred to me because I couldn’t win in one blow.

Rather, despite the climax and the first-class life-or-death situation, the conclusion was rather quick. In fact, some of the martial artists seemed to think that Dang Mu-jin’s achievement was beyond their expectations.

However, most of the attention was focused on the corpse of the defeated Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju, not on the victorious Dang-mu-jin. On the man who had defied his fear and rushed toward death.

Everyone in this place has a talent that is said to be great. In their eyes, Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju’s achievements were insignificant.

But it was never trash. How many unmanned beings in the world can go straight towards death?

People brought back the story of the Tae-ui-geommun-ju.

Sometimes, the loser may gain more than the winner.

That was exactly what Dang Mu-jin had been worried about, and that was why Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju did not back down even in the face of death.

Dang Mu-jin let out a deep sigh, as he could guess what people were thinking.

*

Back at Namhwagak, Dangmujin began to explain the situation to the people.

The evil relationship between Jewon Baekga, Salmak, and Goei.

The Jeon Dae Taeui Geummunju and the people of Nogunsan.

A suspicious study by Sima Se-ga, the contents of which cannot be revealed precisely.

And further, to the communal faction and the point-blank faction.

Dang Mu-jin’s story fit together neatly without any mismatch.

Also, since Shin Seung and Yoo Jin-kwang actively testified about the relevant parts, people somehow accepted it.

Going a step further, there were also topics that did not require testimony: Salmak.

“Yi-ryong. You destroyed the Salmak?”

“I just raised one hand.”

“I heard the story, but it doesn’t seem to be that bad… Somehow, I haven’t heard any stories of Salmak being active in recent years.”

But there was a bigger problem. The fact that the demonic cult members, including the Sam-an-bul, were staying in the Tang family was obvious and at the same time, ominous.

Because people were unable to completely shake off their doubts, they ended up making judgments based on practicality rather than trust.

The story of Dangmujin and the Demonic Cult’s warriors was a good excuse to use.

“When the Demonic Cult starts its campaign, Shandong Musicians will come running faster than anyone else. I promise.”

“Mo Yong-se will depart as soon as he receives the news.”

It’s a nice story to hear, but ultimately, it’s burdensome to launch a preemptive strike against the Demonic Cult.

At this point, even those who had been insisting on actively attacking the Demonic Cult, such as Yuyudoin and Yeongheoja, lost their motivation.

‘Should we fight the Demonic Cult among ourselves? Do we have a chance of winning?’

‘Is it right for us to make sacrifices for those who stand by and watch?’

The Yoo Yoo Do-in glared at the people and moved his ankles here and there. I have already warned you, so as soon as the Demonic Cult enters, you just have to run away with all your might.

The meeting ended in a haphazard manner. Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju became a stumbling block for Dang Mu-jin as he had hoped. It didn’t end with him being just a stumbling block for Dang Mu-jin, but he became a stumbling block for the entire Jeongpa martial arts world.

Before the people dispersed, Young-Heo-Ja spoke as if he was grasping at straws.

“We may have a similar discussion someday, so please contact us and gather at Mt. Mudang.”

In a situation where one could shamelessly step back, no one was shameless enough to refuse such an offer. People mumbled and answered.

“Well, that’s not that difficult.”

“What would you like to name the group?”

Yeongbo Jin-in was about to say Jeongcheon Maeng, but swallowed his words.

Jeongcheonmaeng is a name used by the Mudangpa to encompass several miscellaneous nameplates around it.

It was not a very pleasant sight to see such a name being used on a day when even the Taeui Sword Master, one of the few sects, had collapsed.

That’s why the Shaolin monk intervened and spoke.

“What does the name matter? Let’s just call it the Murim Alliance. There are no other organizations worth knowing about anymore. As for the leader… I think Yeongbo Jin-in or Yeongheoja would be a good candidate. I don’t think anyone would object.”

Although the scale of the Sima Family was somewhat reduced due to its demise, there is still no organization as large as the Moorim Alliance in the current orthodox martial arts world. But doesn’t the Moorim Alliance include Shaolin Temple and Gaebo?

If giving up the position of leader was a consideration for the deeply troubled Yeongheoja, then it was consideration.

“Well, let’s do that. Thank you all for your valuable time.”

People began to disperse, greeting each other briefly.

However, Yoo Jin-kwang’s business was not over. Yoo Jin-kwang looked around and finally found Baek Ya-hyo, the leader of the Gongdong faction.

“Baek Jang-mun. May I talk to you for a moment?”

“What’s going on?”

Baek Ya-hyo walked over with brisk strides and stood a little distance away from Yoo Jin-kwang.

I didn’t realize it when I first saw him, but Baek Ya-hyo was taller than he looked. He was half a head taller than Yoo Jin-kwang, who was of average build.

“It’s a good thing that we have one more top-notch member in the Jeongpa faction, but there’s something that’s bothering me. When on earth did you become the leader of the Gongdong faction?”

Baek Ya-hyo answered in a light tone, as if he was curious about everything.

“It hasn’t even been a year. I became a long-time member of the group shortly after joining, so it’s still awkward to be called a long-time member.”

It was exactly two years ago that Muryangja died and Hwangogak was burned down. Yoo Jin-kwang asked again.

“They say there was a gap of more than a year between Muryangja’s death and Baek Jangmunin’s inauguration… The position of Jangmunin was left vacant for a year?”

Baek Ya-hyo waved his hand.

“That’s not possible. After Muryangja, Sangyudoin briefly took over as Jangmunin, but soon after I joined the Gongdongpa, he stepped down as Jangmunin.”

Dang Mu-jin heard of the Tao called Shang Yu-do-in for the first time. However, the experienced Yu Jin-gwang had heard of Shang Yu-do-in before.

However, as far as Yoo Jin-kwang knew, Sang Yu-do-in was not a person of high rank enough to lead a large sect called Gongdongpa.

‘After Baek Ya-hyo joined the Gongdong faction, did he step down from his burdensome position as Jang Moon-in?’

I understand the situation. When the skill gap is that big, the authority of the superior is lost.

Also, since the communist faction often promoted or passed on the eldest person based on military force, it was natural for the highest ranking official to step down.

Yoo Jin-kwang said to Baek Ya-hyo.

“Okay, I understand. But no matter how I look at it, Baek Jang-mun-in is still on my mind for a number of reasons.”

“What is it that you don’t like so much?”

Baek Ya-hyo consistently lowered his posture in front of Yoo Jin-kwang, who was at least ten years younger than him. Yoo Jin-kwang felt uncomfortable dealing with this type of person. Yoo Jin-kwang spoke directly so as not to be swayed by Baek Ya-hyo’s story.

“I understand that you came to the meeting late, but I’m concerned that you brought Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju with you. Is there some kind of hidden agenda?”

“What do you mean by a secret plot? I just happened to meet Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju on my way to Mt. Mu-dang. Are you suspicious of me because of the story about Tae-ui-geom-mun-ju?”

Baek Ya-hyo spoke with an embarrassed expression.

Yoo Jin-kwang and Dang Mu-jin did not answer and just stared at Baek Ya-hyo. In the end, Baek Ya-hyo let out a deep sigh.

“I still don’t know much about how the Jeongpa Murim works. I just listened to the story and thought it was pitiful, so I went along. I don’t agree with the story of Taeui Geommunju. Please put away your doubts.”

It was clear that something was off, but it was hard to say anything else when he was acting like that. In the end, Yoo Jin-kwang left one last word for Baek Ya-hyo.

“I will always keep a close eye on what is happening in the community.”

“I am lacking in skills, so if you give me some advice, I will always listen carefully.”

Yoo Jin-kwang turned around and spat. He acted calmly until the end.

Baek Ya-hyo looked at Yoo Jin-kwang’s back for a moment, then smiled and left Mt. Mudang.

*

It didn’t even take half a day for the people who had flocked from all over the Central Plains to disperse as if it were a lie. By evening, the only outsiders left in the Wudangpa were Dang Mujin and his party.

Dang Mu-jin had no business left with the Mudang faction. Hong Geol-gae was no different. However, Hyeon-gong still had work to do.

“I’ll be back.”

As Hyun-gong stood up from his seat and spoke, Hong-geol-gae spoke while lying on the floor.

“Let’s just finish this and get rid of the Taoist life. I’ve done enough as a Taoist for about twenty years.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Really. Your nature is more suited to openness than to a Taoist.”

“I hear you’re spewing out bad words.”

One late night. Hyun-gong came out of the reception hall grumbling.

And I went to see Yeongbo Jinin to show him my achievements.

When Hyun-gong opened the sliding door of the Jangmun-in room of Hyuncheon-dang, Yeong-bo-jin-in was sitting with his back to the door.

“It’s Hyungong. Come this way.”

“yes.”

Hyun-gong walked with frequent steps, heading towards the direction where he could face Yeong-bo-jin. Towards the position farthest from the door in the room.

Yeongbo Jinin’s gaze turned to the sword hanging from Hyeon-gong’s waist.

Hyun-gong bowed his head slightly while giving a lottery to Yeong-bo Jin-in.

But something was strange. The Songmungo sword, which would normally be hanging on the wall with other swords, was resting on Yeongbo Jinin’s thigh.

Yeongbo Jin-in spoke in a soft voice as always.

“Welcome.”

Hyun-gong felt that there was something strange about Yeong-bo Jin-in’s story.

Hyun-gong had been in the Mudangpa territory for about two weeks, and had greeted Yeong-bo Jin-in at that time as well.

After that, he also visited Yeongbo Jinin once every four days.

But it’s so strange that you came all of a sudden. Isn’t that a bit strange?

‘Are you feeling senile? Well, that’s understandable, given your age. Then, does that mean the position of the eldest son will be vacant? That’s not a good time. It’s not like I can become the eldest son at my age. It would be better to hold out as long as possible and then step down…’

‘No, that might not be the story. It might just be a story about how it was a good idea to arrive late.’

While Hyun-gong was busy thinking, Yeong-bo Jin-in said one more thing.

“And have a good trip.”

“···yes?”

The moment Hyungong slightly raised his head, the Songmun Sword in Yeongbojinin’s hand brushed Hyungong’s neck.