Tangmunjeon - Chapter 249



Only Noblemtl

Episode 249 Jang Moon-in

Hyun-gong instinctively pulled back, but was unable to completely escape the sword’s trajectory.

The Songmun sword passed over Hyungong’s neck, barely grazing the relatively strong part of his neck.

My throat felt hot and blood was running down it.

“You avoided it.”

“Why are you doing that!”

“The misfortune you are bringing with your mouth will surely not stop with you but will cover Mt. Wudang, so it is right to take action in advance.”

Hyun-gong tried to protest against Yeong-bo Jin-in’s story, but Yeong-bo Jin-in had already started the next ritual. This time, it was the chest.

‘shit!’

Hyun-gong immediately twisted his body.

At first glance, it seemed like he could have avoided it cleanly, but Youngbo Jinin’s sword slightly changed direction and ended up hitting Hyungong’s chest.

The sword broke in the middle, so it barely grazed his chest. However, Hyun-gong felt that the sword had slightly dug into his ribs.

If it had been two or three inches deeper, it might have reached the heart.

There was no time to talk anymore, and even if I did, it would be meaningless.

In Hyun-gong’s experience, once he started swinging his sword, the conversation never ended smoothly.

visor-

After dodging twice, Hyun-gong barely managed to draw his sword and block the third strike.

However, the sword of the Youngbojin flexibly twisted its direction and grazed Hyungong’s forearm. Blood gushed out from the deeply cut forearm.

Indeed, the Songmun Sword was no ordinary sword.

It was so sharp that I didn’t even feel the sensation of the blade grazing my skin, but blood gushed out from the wound. If there’s an advantage to it, it’s that it’s less painful than getting cut by other swords.

Fortunately, Hyun-gong was able to receive Yeong-bo-jin’s sword because he was holding the sword made by Dang-mu-jin.

If I had to block Youngbojin’s sword with an ordinary sword, the blade would have been cut in two by now.

Brim, brim-

This time, he blocked two consecutive sword strikes.

However, Hyungong still could not retreat to a safe place. This was because this was the Jangmunin room of Hyuncheondang.

The only weakness of the Youngbojin is his legs. Since he cannot stand up and move, the space he can attack with his sword is inevitably limited.

However, Yeongbo Jin-in lured Hyeon-gong to the farthest place from the exit in the Hyeoncheon Hall’s Jangmun In-sil. He must have planned this situation from the beginning.

Even in such an urgent situation, Hyun-gong’s head did not stop making judgments.

‘Is it a test?’

It must be so. Youngbo Jinin is not someone who harms people recklessly. It is not possible that he realized Hyungong’s nature so late. Youngbo Jinin has always been above Hyungong.

As Hyun-gong’s thoughts reached that point, the Songmun Sword flew before his eyes.

Hyun-gong was startled and threw his head back. But the sword almost grazed Hyun-gong’s eye. It sent shivers down his spine.

It felt like my confidence that this was a test was completely gone.

‘We have to survive first.’

The sword of the Youngbojinin that swings horizontally.

Hyun-gong jumped into the air and laid his body horizontally. Hyun-gong was able to narrowly avoid Yeong-bo-jin-in’s sword strike that swung horizontally.

This was an extremely risky maneuver, but fortunately it worked. Thanks to this, Hyun-gong had his first chance to counterattack.

Whee!

Hyun-gong’s sword cut through the wind and flew towards Yeong-bo Jin-in.

Just as Yeongbo Jinin had done, Hyeon Gong also sincerely intended to kill Yeongbo Jinin.

Knowing that his sword could not penetrate Yeongbojinin’s defenses, Hyungong was able to put his heart into his sword.

Geuggeuggeuk-

As if it were a given, Hyun-gong’s sword was blocked and bounced off with a short scraping sound.

Hyun-gong immediately stretched out his left arm and grabbed one of the many swords propped up against the wall.

It is the Hyeoncheon Sword. It was the sword of the Jangmunryeongbu of the shamanist faction before the Songmungo Sword was created.

Hyun-gong swung his left arm strongly in the air and took off the scabbard of his sword.

‘Can you stop Songmungo Sword with Hyuncheon Sword?’

No. It’s impossible. If it’s the Songmun Sword wielded by a idiot, then it’s possible, but if it falls into the hands of Yeongbo Jinin, it’s impossible to block it with the Hyeoncheon Sword.

Therefore, Hyun-gong unfurled the Taegeuk sword in his right hand, the sword made by Dang Mu-jin, and deflected Yeong-bo Jin-in’s sword strike.

It was a very good defense considering it was done with only the right arm.

At the same time, Hyun-gong’s head was wondering what swordsmanship he should use with his left arm. The answer was already set. The foundation of the Wudang faction and the basis of the Wudang faction’s swordsmanship, the Five Elements Swordsmanship. The swordsmanship that all Wudang faction warriors practice the longest and most thoroughly.

The sword on his left arm displayed the Five Elements Sword Technique and targeted Youngbo Jinin’s weak point.

While his right arm was blocking the sword of Yeongbo Jinin, his left arm’s sword went from the first style of the Five Elements Sword, Wood Birth Fire, to the ninth style, Fire Overcoming Metal, and then back to the fourth style, Metal Birth Water.

It was as if one person was blocking Youngbojinin’s sword while the other was targeting Youngbojinin’s weak point. However, the swords in their two arms did not invade each other’s sword paths.

A truly perfect joint attack unfolded between Hyun-gong’s two hands.

The sword of the Youngbojin stopped for a moment and then became even more fierce. Hyungong was immediately cornered. The blade slashed at his waist and dug into the flesh of his forearm.

In the end, Hyun-gong’s left arm also spread out the Taegeuk sword instead of the Ohaeng sword and devoted itself to defense. Then, Yeongbo Jin-in’s sword could not easily invade Hyun-gong’s territory.

I came to show off some tricks like double-crossing, but out of nowhere I ended up swinging swords with both arms.

Hyun-gong felt as if his head was burning, or as if it was splitting in two. It wasn’t just a metaphor.

Hyun-gong thought that his consciousness was blossoming brilliantly.

The stinging sensation of blood flowing from my nose and the pain of my flesh covered in blood from cuts here and there were forgotten.

Hyun-gong swung his sword while simultaneously measuring direction in an incomprehensible and metaphysical space.

‘There is a way to go somewhere.’

However, the direction was unknown.

‘Over there?’

Hyun-gong’s consciousness wandered around, trying to find a way forward.

Still nothing was visible. No clues.

However, Hyun-gong was clearly running towards the next realm. At least, he was not stagnating like he had been until now.

A subtle sense of emptiness came over me. Why had I been stuck in the same place for so many years?

Although he may not have found his way, there are endless possibilities unfolding before him.

The heaviest chains have fallen off somewhere. You can go wherever you want.

My whole body feels tingly.

Mental ecstasy and physical pleasure were simultaneously felt. It felt as if the Milky Way was pounding into my head like a cool waterfall.

My heart feels like it’s going to burst with anticipation that enlightenment will come as if it were a lie.

Surely, I will reach it someday. If I can just step onto the path, I will be able to go anywhere.

At that moment, Yeongbo Jinin’s secretly extended Songmungogeom dug down between Hyeon-gong’s fingers and the sword’s core, that is, the tip of the sword.

When Yeongbo Jinin used his strength to deflect the blow, the sword that Dangmujin had made slipped out of Hyungong’s hand and entered Yeongbo Jinin’s hand. Only then did Hyungong come to his senses.

Hyun-gong spoke a little awkwardly.

“what-”

Youngbo Jin took a deep breath and shouted loudly.

“conflict!”

The usual gunshot returned to Hyungong’s eyes. However, Hyungong thought that it shouldn’t be like that. Hyungong intentionally tried to lose consciousness. His eyes became cloudy again.

Youngbo Jin shouted again.

“stringer!”

The light returned to Hyungong’s eyes again. Hyungong was thrown out of his state of selflessness.

It was a bit of a strange story, but Hyun-gong was resentful of the current situation. He was resentful of Yeong-bo-jin-in’s sword stopping without threatening his life.

That is why, for the first time in his life, Hyun-gong raised his voice in front of Yeong-bo-jin.

“Don’t stop the sword! Just do it a little more!”

“Sit cross-legged.”

Hyun-gong glared at Yeong-bo Jin-in, then sat down and sat cross-legged.

The wounds on my thighs and legs opened, and my entire lower body felt hot and sore.

Hyun-gong closed his eyes, swallowed slowly and deeply, then opened them.

Then, the face of Yeongbo Jinin, as usual, appeared.

Youngbo Jin-in said calmly.

“Hyungong-ah. The wise man once said, ‘Those who hurry will never reach the destination (欲速則不達)’”

“But it was right in front of us. All it took was one step. Seriously!”

“I know. But you must not doubt your efforts and talent. You have practiced for nearly ten years, even after surpassing the peak wall. Do not be impatient. That is the fastest way to attain the state of mind.”

Yeongbo Jinin’s story paused for a moment. Hyungong took a deep breath and exhaled repeatedly.

Now I could smell the surroundings. The familiar scent of incense from the Confucian temple mixed with the smell of blood, creating an unfamiliar scent.

Hyun-gong’s expression turned sour. Like a five-year-old child about to throw a tantrum.

However, Hyun-gong could not guess what I was thinking. Hyun-gong had no memory of complaining to his parents.

Yeongbo Jin-in smiled gently.

“Come here.”

Yeongbo Jinin lightly spread his arms and hugged Hyeon-gong.

Yeongbo Jinin shared with Hyungong the slightly musty smell unique to old men, and Hyungong shared the drops of blood that flowed from his skin onto Yeongbo Jinin’s clothes.

Only then did Hyun-gong become as calm as usual.

Hyun-gong slowly returned to his seat.

“I knew it was a test.”

“I guess so.”

“It was a test, but I thought I might die.”

“I might have lost an eye or a limb. But that’s not such a bad price to pay for enlightenment.”

It seems that the Songmungogeom almost catching my eye earlier wasn’t a mistake.

I’m sure Youngbo Jin-do swung his sword half-heartedly, thinking that whatever happens will happen. Thinking about it made me laugh for some reason.

Youngbo Jin said.

“The accomplishment you spoke of was something I had not expected. Excellent.”

Yeongbo Jinin judged the strange talent that Hyungong had shown.

A strange feat that allows one person to wield the swords of two people.

It was truly an amazing feat, one I had never seen or heard of before.

Yeongbo Jinin thought it was fortunate that this article was written by a Taoist monk from the Wudang faction. The Wudang faction would not decline for some time to come.

With a faint smile on his face, he asked a question full of confidence.

“Then, can I remain in Mt. Wudang now?”

However, Youngbo Jinin’s answer was different from what Hyungong had expected.

“No. Go away.”

Hyun-gong was embarrassed.

“Why on earth are you saying that? Didn’t you say there was growth?”

“It was a great growth. However, you are a person who will not grow if you remain at Mt. Mudang. So, you should not remain at Mt. Mudang.”

“It’s been three and a half years since I left Mt. Wudang. Now it’s time for you to accept me.”

Youngbo Jin-in laughed.

“Who told you not to come back? They said to come back when the time is right.”

“You said that last time too. I think that time is now.”

“Hyungong-ah.”

Yeongbo Jinin stretched out his wrinkled hands and grabbed Hyungong’s hands that were soaked with blood. Hyungong wanted to shake off Yeongbo Jinin’s hands because the wounds on the back of his hands were burning, but he held back because it was not the right atmosphere.

Youngbo Jin said.

“Come back when you need my help most, or when you feel you can take my place.”

Hyun-gong’s eyes opened wide.

He’s taking over the position. Are you talking about making him the next chief?

The age difference between Yeongbojinin and Hyeon-gong is well over forty years. It would be normal for there to be at least one or two other elders between Yeongbojinin and Hyeon-gong.

However, Yeongbo Jin clearly spoke to Hyeon Gong. It seemed that he had not misunderstood.

Hyun-gong answered, stammering.

“You know how much more there is above me in the distribution.”

Youngbo Jin-in laughed.

“Really? I thought you’d want to be the leader of the non-partisan faction at a young age and make a fuss. Fine. I’ll tell someone else to take over as the leader, and when you’re old enough, I’ll hand it over to you.”

When Hyun-gong hesitated, Yeong-bo Jin-in laughed.

Hyungong also laughed along with Yeongbojinin. Yeongbojinin was always the only person above Hyungong.

Since when did Yeongbo Jinin know Hyeon-gong’s true feelings and Jang Moon-in’s dream?

Yeongbo Jin-in gave Hyun-gong a golden elixir and spoke to him.

“You are too young to be stuck in Mt. Wudang. You have met a good person, so there is no reason to hesitate. Leave now, see more, and come back.”

“All right.”

Hyun-gong got up from his seat, bowed deeply to Yeong-bo Jin-in, and stepped back.

*

When Hyun-gong returned to the reception hall, Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae were terrified at seeing Hyun-gong’s behavior.

The guy who just came out fine came back covered in blood.

“Answer this first. Do I have to run away right now?”

Hyun-gong answered Hong-geol-gae’s question.

“No, but I have to leave soon.”

“I guess I got kicked out after all.”

Hyun-gong hesitated to answer, then chuckled. That wasn’t entirely wrong either.

“Well, similar.”

Dang Mu-jin sat next to Hyeon-gong and applied a golden ointment to him.

It stung every time the medicine was applied to the wound, but it felt good.

Dang Mu-jin asked.

“What on earth were you talking about that made Youngbojin draw his sword?”

Hyun-gong closed his eyes without answering the question.

And the memories that were thrown towards enlightenment. And I thought back on the conversation I had with Yeongbo Jinin. A smile naturally spread across my face.

Hyun-gong asked a question instead.

“What would it be like if I became a non-partisan leader?”

Then Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae let out a deep sigh.

“Youngbo Jin-in drew his sword for the future of the Mudangpa.”

“It’s not that I feel wronged, since it’s your fault that this happened. At least that’s fortunate.”

After that, Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae continued to praise Yeong Bo-jin’s compassion and wisdom for a long time.

It was clearly a story far from the truth. But no matter what his friends said, the smile never disappeared from Hyungong’s lips.

‘I am now number one in the hierarchy.’

*

The next day, Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae realized that Hyeon-gong had become noticeably arrogant.