Tangmunjeon - Chapter 251



Only Noblemtl

Episode 251: The Joint Force

As Dang Mu-jin and his party were finishing cleaning up the blacksmith shop, several villagers came to the blacksmith shop and asked.

“It’s my first time seeing your faces. Where are you from?”

“I came from Johaengchon, over there in the northwest.”

Dang Mu-jin made up a random name for the village and talked about it. Most people had a puzzled expression, but one person’s reaction was a little different.

“Johaengchon… Ah, ah! Is that it? It’s the place with the big zelkova tree at the entrance to the village, right? I think I went there about ten years ago. It was a pretty nice village. I remember getting a meal there too.”

There were people who pretended to know the name of the town even though it was just a made-up name.

In fact, there are many people in the world who want to pretend to know things they don’t.

The zelkova tree at the entrance to the village that he mentioned as a special feature is a tree that can be easily found anywhere in this area. In fact, it is difficult to find a village without a large zelkova tree.

Anyway, in times like these, it helps to have someone who pretends to know. Dang Mu-jin accepted the story naturally.

“Yes. I see you know it, even though it’s a small town. It’s gone now, but it used to be a pretty nice town.”

“Hmm? The village is gone?”

“Until a few years ago, we were living comfortably, but recently, the martial artists started coming and demanding this and that from us. We held out a few times, but when they started coming once or twice a year, we couldn’t stand it anymore. Eventually, we all decided to abandon the village a while ago.”

The man who pretended to know answered in a voice that seemed to be well-versed in the world.

“It seems they were Sapha martial artists. Although the martial artists are all the same, it’s true that the Jeongpa martial artists are much better than the Sapha martial artists. Once the Sapha martial artists start to prey on you, they just hold their breath and keep on robbing you. It’s a good thing you got out now. Good job.”

As expected, the perception of the Sapa warriors in Pyeongnyang-hyeon was not very good.

Anyway, thanks to the man who likes to pretend to know, people came to believe Dang Mu-jin’s story without question. If you look at it, it can be seen as an unintentional mutual aid.

Another man asked.

“Are you planning to fix up the blacksmith shop and use it as a home?”

“Yes. I learned the blacksmith’s trade, so I know how to make simple hardware. I could probably make enough to make ends meet by making and selling farm tools. Is there an owner for this blacksmith shop, by any chance?”

“That’s not true. It’s been a long time since I left Pyeongnyang-hyeon, saying that business wasn’t going well. I think I said I had relatives in the east and would settle down there again… Do your friends next door know how to handle iron?”

People’s eyes were focused on Hong Geol-gae and Hyeon-gong. Dang Mu-jin waved his hand.

“That guy is a beggar from Johaengchon, and I came with him while I was out. What can you get out of a village with a gourd? The clean-cut guy next to him is a local rascal. He doesn’t really know how to do anything, but I came with him to try and make some money.”

“Ahem.”

The five-knotted Zhongjing Buntaju was relegated to the status of a village beggar, and the next leader of the shamanist faction became a village gangster. However, the explanation was so plausible that no one really suspected it.

“I see. Take care. Let me know if you need anything.”

There’s nothing wrong with having a night market in your neighborhood. It’s also a good way to ask neighbors for help.

People returned with satisfied expressions.

*

A rumor spread among the farmers of Pyeongryang County. It was said that a young craftsman who had come from a foreign land and settled down there was making some pretty good farm tools.

However, people never lined up to buy farm implements made by Dang Mu-jin.

Unlike weapons, farm implements don’t have to worry about their life being in danger just because the blade is a little dull.

Farmers do not rush to buy new farm tools unless the ones they have used are no longer usable.

Of course, Dang Mu-jin’s blacksmith shop was established a little faster than others, and business was going quite well. For now, that was all.

Naturally, there was no situation where a joint force unmanned unit came to visit or anything like that.

While Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong were getting to know the villagers and building friendships by listening to rumors, Hong Geol-gae was free to roam the streets.

Then one morning, Hong Geol-gae felt something flying next to him.

I raised my hand and snatched it up, and it was a ripe, scarlet persimmon.

“Hey, did you eat anything today?”

A beggar named Myosun, who had become acquainted with Hong Geol-gae in Pyeongnyang-hyeon, approached him and asked him.

Myosun was deaf. Her nickname, Myosun, came from her upper lip being split in two like a rabbit’s.

Hong Geol-gae answered, taking a bite of the persimmon.

“Well, I’m not going around starving.”

“I gave him some persimmons because I thought he might be starving. He has good fortune.”

“If you’re hungry, come to the blacksmith shop and get a meal before you go. My friends won’t mind that much.”

“I wonder?”

Myosun has already received food from Dangmujin and his party once or twice.

And Myosun didn’t feel sorry about that fact. Myosun was the kind of person who could give as much as she received.

“Okay. I’ll come visit you sometime soon. If you feel like you’re going to get into trouble with the rascals, just tell me anytime.”

“okay.”

Unlike other beggars, Myosun was a very open-minded person.

It’s not just a perfect or single knot, it’s a two-knot double knot opening.

Since Muwi was also second-rate, the neighborhood rascals could not even make eye contact with Myosun.

Of course, Myosun’s inaction was not important to Hong Geol-gae at all. They were just close friends because they were about the same age and could communicate well.

Myosun examined Honggeolgae and then crossed her arms, revealing her strong arms.

“Hong Geol-gae. How about you come to Gae-gong and learn some martial arts? Since you’re not in any pain, I think it’ll be helpful.”

If you accept the offer here and learn martial arts from Myosun, there will be nothing more ridiculous in the world.

Hong Geol-gae waved his hand while holding a half-eaten persimmon.

“No, I’m fine.”

“It might be okay in a small village, but if you want to live in a large village like Pyeongnyang-hyeon without worrying about what others think, it’s better to learn martial arts now. Beggars who don’t learn martial arts will be sad when they grow old. If you learn martial arts when you’re young, you’ll be able to use it for the next thirty or forty years.”

“It’s okay. I’m not the type to get into fights with other people.”

“No one knows what will happen in the future. And it looks like you’ll be going with those blacksmith friends for a long time. You should learn some martial arts instead of your friends so that you can prevent any unfortunate events in the future.”

I don’t know who cares about whom.

I wondered what Myosun’s expression would be if she found out what Hyungong and Dangmujin were doing. Since she was planning to stay quiet in Pyeongryang-hyeon, there was no way Myosun would find out about Dangmujin and his group.

Although the appearance was a little strange, Myosun clearly made the offer out of goodwill. Honggeolgae nodded.

“If you want to learn martial arts, let me tell you.”

“Okay. Don’t worry.”

Hong Geol-gae and Myosun headed to the outskirts of Pyeongnyang-hyeon, where many beggars gather. Beggars often stay on the outskirts of the village and move into the inner part of the village only when they need to beg.

Unlike Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong, who made every effort to listen to people’s stories, Hong Geol-gae didn’t have to make a big effort to listen to the Gongdongpa’s story.

Beggars have nothing to do. They loaf around even when they are full, and they loaf around even when they are hungry. And loafing around means that they have nothing interesting to do and are just killing time.

All I can do is tell them something to do. It’s to tell them all sorts of trivial stories that they’ve seen and heard here and there.

Hong Geol-gae lay down on the floor like other beggars and listened quietly. He heard all kinds of stories.

“The potter Songga’s daughter-in-law, Sandal, seems close. I think we’ll have a chance to get something from each other soon.”

“It seems there’s a problem with the merchant Wang’s peddling business. He was looking good until the day before yesterday, but today he went there to beg and got cursed at.”

Most of the beggars’ stories are stories that can help with begging. They are not of interest to Hong Geol-gae.

Next, there had to be a lot of stories about the Gongdong faction. After all, Pyeongnyang-hyeon was part of the Gongdong faction’s sphere of influence.

But strangely enough, the beggars of Pyeongnyang-hyeon rarely talked about the Gongdongpa.

For the past three days, there hasn’t been a single person who even mentioned the name of the coalition.

In the end, Hong Geol-gae decided to ask Myo-sun directly.

As always, in a light and indifferent tone.

“I thought I would hear a lot of stories about the Gongdongpa if I came to Pyeongnyang-hyeon.”

Myosun immediately showed interest.

“Why? Are you interested in the commonwealth?”

“No. It’s not like that in particular… I guess it’s fun to hear stories about martial artists.”

“That’s true.”

Myosun’s expression became strangely confident. It was an attitude that made him consider himself a proper martial artist, and it was an attitude that made him proud of that fact.

“As you think, there used to be a lot of talk about communalism.”

“okay?”

“There were many cases where the Communist faction came down to the village and caused trouble. The Communist faction is a political faction, but did you know that most of the Communist faction’s members are from the Sa faction?”

Myosun lowered her voice as if she was telling him valuable information that only people in the martial arts world would know. In reality, it was a trivial story that everyone knew.

“I’ve heard of it.”

“There are a lot of rough people in the Gongdongpa. It’s said that people who have recently joined the Gongdongpa would sneak down to Pyeongnyanghyeon and cause trouble.”

“What kind of accident?”

When Hong Geol-gae asked again, Myo-sun whispered.

“There were many authors who raped or robbed women, and there were also many cases of people dying.”

“What? Is that okay?”

“Of course not. He couldn’t stand the life of a communal cult member, so he tried to commit a crime and then run away.”

“Oh my. Those who suffered so much must have had nowhere to vent their frustrations.”

Hong Geol-gae clapped his hands in agreement, but Myosun shook her head.

“No. That wasn’t the case. The communist group used whatever means necessary to catch the authors who ran away. They made them apologize to the victims and their families, and even took out all of the communist group’s assets to compensate them.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. There are many people in Pyeongryang-hyeon who dislike the Gongdongpa. However, no one says that the Gongdongpa is irresponsible.”

“Ahem.”

“That’s not the end. The communist faction will never forgive those who commit such crimes. Many people die, and many are abandoned with their lineage cut off.”

“There must be a lot of people dying?”

“Nine times out of ten, you won’t die.”

Myosun’s story had a lot of detail, as if it had happened a lot up until now.

However, during his stay in Pyeongnyang-hyeon for over two weeks, Hong Geol-gae had not heard a single story of the Gongdongpa warriors committing any heinous crimes.

Hong Geol-gae imitated Hyeon-gong’s way of speaking and subtly led him to answer.

“I didn’t know, but that seems to be common.”

“A common occurrence… Yes. It was a common occurrence.”

“It was common?”

“Something similar happened at least once a month.”

“Not these days?”

“It’s been quiet these days. It seems like it’s been quiet for almost a year without any major incidents.”

One year.

Hong Geol-gae compiled his own experiences and stories he heard at the Mudeungsan meeting.

It was about two years ago that Yoo Jin-kwang killed Muryangja, the leader of the Jeonjeon Dae clan.

About a year after that, a person called Sangyudoin or something was said to be the head of the Gongdongpa.

It has been about a year since Baek Ya-hyo, who last appeared at the Mudeungsan meeting, took the position of the head of the Gongdong faction.

The period when Baek Ya-hyo became the leader of the Gongdong faction and the Gongdong faction’s warriors became quiet roughly coincides.

‘I think there’s some kind of relationship.’

It’s a situation that can be somewhat understood.

The Baek Ya-hyo that Hong Geol-gae saw was not an easy person. Not only was he high-ranking, but he also had an atmosphere that made people feel uncomfortable.

The atmosphere of the communist faction led by Jang Moon-in, whose presence is faint and whose actions are lacking, and the communist faction led by someone as powerful as Baek Ya-hyo cannot be the same.

But if you dig deeper, the situation becomes suspicious.

Is there a way to get a sincere answer without arousing any suspicion?

‘there is.’

If Hyun-gong were here, he would definitely have said this.

“It seems like the martial artists of the Gongdongpa have decided to live well since last year.”

Instead of asking questions and revealing all of his thoughts and reasoning, Hong Geol-gae deliberately answered stupidly.

Myosun burst into laughter as if she found it pitiful.

“That’s impossible. There was a riot in the community last year around this time. It’s been quiet since then.”

“Terrible?”

Myosun was completely swayed by Hong Geol-gae’s (or, to be exact, Hyeon-gong’s) art of speaking.

Hong Geol-gae only asked one question, but quite a bit of confidential information came out.

“Yes. They say that the dark-hearted members of the Sapha faction of the Gongdongpa got together and started a riot. They say that they eventually subdued the troublemakers… Many people died in that riot, and many people lost their connections. But thanks to that, the people of Pyeongryang County are now better off. They’ve basically weeded out the troublemakers.”

“oh···.”

Today’s information gathering was a great success.

Hong Geol-gae nodded and tried to conclude his story, intending to return to the blacksmith shop and tell his friends the story he had heard today.

“I heard a strange story. I shouldn’t go around telling it.”

“I guess I have to be careful what I say. Oh, by the way, some of the unmanned members of the communist faction that lost their connection at that time are in the shack over there in the corner. Do you want to take a look?”

“They say that nine times out of ten, people whose veins are cut off die?”

“In other words, one or two out of ten people survived. It wasn’t easy for beggars like us who lived by begging to take care of others, so most of them died from worsening wounds or starving to death, but some survived. Those who had been relatively well-mannered in everyday life.”

It certainly won’t be a pretty sight.

But Hong Geol-gae nodded.

You didn’t come to Pyeongnyang-hyeon to just take it easy and enjoy the beautiful scenery, did you?

Myosun led Honggeolgae to the hut.

A terrible stench vibrated inside the hut. It was so bad that Hong Geol-gae, the beggar, unconsciously covered his nose.

‘Is it the smell of rotting wounds mixed with the smell of poop and urine? At least it’s not summer.’

There were four or five people lying inside the hut.

Their skin was covered with bedsores. They had to be turned over diligently to prevent bedsores, but there was no reason for beggars to take such care of the sinners of the communal sect.

Rather, it should be seen as a considerable favor that they have kept him alive by providing him with food up until now.

Their limbs bore clear wounds, evidence of severed veins.

But the wounds were not limited to their limbs. Most had wounds to their eyes, blinding them, and through their gaping mouths one could see severed tongues.

‘What a terrible punishment.’

Hong Geol-gae shook his head and tried to leave.

But the innermost one. The face of the gaunt man looked strangely familiar.

‘···uh?’

She was the only woman in the shack.

Although her bones were protruding like other people’s and she couldn’t open her eyes, Hong Geol-gae was able to find a bit of her appearance from when she was in good health on her face.

A member of the Gongdongpa faction who roams the North capturing Sapa members.

A woman who was more generous than most men.

Yuldal-eum was lying in the hut.